Town-Crier Newspaper August 14, 2009

TRAFFIC HAS TOWN, COUNTY AT ODDS

Opinion

BANK SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

News

hosted “Community Heroes Night” last Saturday. Police and firefighters were on hand to make citizens aware of all the resources that local law enforcement and firefighters use. Page 5

State Rep Takes Aim At Aronberg’s

State Senate Seat

State Rep. Kevin Rader (DDistrict 78) has declared his candidacy for State Senate District 27 because he believes it will give him greater opportunity to pass legislation. Page 7

Features

WHS Features Popular Equine

Pre-Vet Academy

Kim Breier started teaching science at Wellington High School 15 years ago. Some years later, she helped create and write the program for the Equine Pre-Veterinary Academy at WHS, the only one of its kind in Florida. Page 16

Online Poll

How Would You Rate The State Of The U.S. Economy?

A. Things are looking up!

B. I haven’t seen any improvement.

C. Things are still getting worse!

Cast your vote by visiting www.goTownCrier.com and scrolling down to the poll question at the bottom left of the page.

Apply Now For The PBSO’s Citizen Academy In RPB

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Starting in September, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will coordinate a citizen academy for residents of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach interested in learning more about how local law enforcement works.

Hosted by the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach, the academy will be a collaboration between PBSO District 9 (Royal Palm Beach) and District 8 (Wellington).

Though the Wellington substation has held citizen academies in the past, this will be the first offered to Royal Palm Beach residents.

“This is an opportunity for participants to look behind the scene to see what their tax dollars are paying for,” District 9 commander Capt. Eric Coleman said. “It will show them our capabilities as well as some of our limitations that we have in performing our duties.”

Classes will begin Thursday, Sept. 10 at the District 9 substation and run ten consecutive Thursdays until Nov. 12. The purpose of the program is to bring residents and business owners in the community “behind the badge” to see the inner workings of the sheriff’s office.

“They’re going to do things like learn about road patrol, see the equipment and sit inside, asking questions in a non-adversarial situation,” District 9 Public Information Officer Diane Smith said. “If someone is stopped by law enforcement, he or she might not understand the procedures or the equipment. It’s basically opening the lines of communication with law enforcement.”

Participants will learn the role of the PBSO in homeland security, which has taken on greater relevance since Sept. 11, 2001. They will also meet members of the K9 and mounted units.

“That’s always a wonderful opportunity for individuals, because they get to pet the dogs and the horses,” Smith said. “They will get to meet members of the SWAT team and find out what their functions are within the sheriff’s office.”

Also of interest, Smith said, will be look behind the PBSO’s DUI (driving under the influence) procedures.

“That’s always pretty interesting to people that I meet, but they don’t know the procedures and what takes place when someone is stopped for a DUI, and the equipment and technology that’s out there now that assists law enforcement,” Smith said.

One of the most important aspects of the academy will be learning about community policing, the concept in which residents work closely with law enforcement to improve the community. It is a key focus that Capt. Cole-

See ACADEMY, page 16

Budget Forum Set For Aug. 20

By Mark Lioi

Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Wellington has scheduled a one-time public forum on Thursday, Aug. 20 to allow residents to weigh in on the village’s budgeting process.

While the public will get a chance to comment when the Wellington Village Council reviews the finalized budget in September, the workshop was scheduled after Councilman Matt Willhite requested it at the council’s Tuesday meeting.

“I’d like to do a public workshop, even if it’s only with our staff, to allow the public to come out and speak before it goes to the regular budget meeting of our regular council,” he said. “We talked about having public input into our budgets, but we haven’t given them a chance to speak about it.”

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said she would not be opposed to the idea if it were scheduled in conjunction with another public meeting, in order to minimize

the staff workload. She suggested attaching the forum to the village’s the next foreclosure symposium.

“If that is your direction, then we’ll be happy to do it,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said.

Mayor Darell Bowen suggested the meeting serve to answer questions from residents.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore noted that the public could comment on the budget when the council does its

See BUDGET, page 16

Wellington Delays Awarding Bid For New Village Hall

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

A decision on the builder of a new multi-million-dollar village hall for Wellington will wait for at least two more weeks. The Wellington Village Council tabled a vote to select a bidder on the project Tuesday due to questions about equity in the bidders’ proposals.

At issue are the stated requirements for the proposed municipal complex, which would gather village offices in one place for the first time after operating out of scattered locations for a decade.

Council members raised concerns about the selection process because the topranked firm, the Weitz Company, had incorporated only half the emergency generator equipment called for in the bid packet, potentially lowering their overall expense estimate.

A June bid invitation to design and build the municipal complex on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Wellington Community Center attracted bids from 12 firms. The village requested plans for a complex having about 54,000 square feet of indoor space with at least two stories, a clock tower feature, impact-resistant windows and architectural consistency with an adjacent playground and amphitheater that have already been designed.

The village also asked that the council chambers and building department be located on the ground floor for ease of public access, and that the design satisfy requirements for “Silver” certification by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for environmentally friendly construction.

Project Manager Rick Greene, who along with Assistant Village Manager John Bonde and Operations Director Jim Barnes sat on the selection committee for the project, told the council the ranking process was weighted heavily on overall design and total cost. He also noted that the bidding firms had some flexibility as to how much money they proposed to allocate to the various components of the project.

“Some of the contractors may have put some of the money into communication where others put it into equipment,” he said. “So while you won’t see consistency between some of the numbers, we were looking at the bottom-line dollar numbers that you see here.”

In April, when the council approved advertising bids for the project, village staff estimated the complex could be designed and built for within

Pafford: State Must Fund Subsidized

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

State Rep. Mark Pafford

(D-District 88) visited the KinderCare Learning Centers location in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday to stress the benefits of subsidized early learning/childcare services.

Pafford said about 60,000 children of low-income families under the age of five in Florida are on a waiting list to be enrolled in subsidized programs, 6,000 of them in Palm Beach County.

“The big deal, as I understand it, is the parents need to go to work,” Pafford said. “They make $17,000 or less a year, and we continue not to budget to get these kids in, yet the parents are forced to struggle.”

KinderCare provides subsidized childcare on a sliding scale based on a family’s income or specific needs

through funding from state and federal agencies, Center Director Stefani Duelfer said. It gets its subsidized funding from the non-profit Family Central Inc.

“We ourselves are not a provider of childcare for lowincome families, but we are a Family Central subcontracted provider,” Duelfer explained. “They are the organization that provides subsidized childcare for low-income families, at-risk or foster children, and teen parents in the state.”

Duelfer said about 20 percent of the children at KinderCare in Royal Palm Beach are enrolled in the low-income program, and that other KinderCare centers have higher low-income enrollment rates.

Subsidized childcare is a boon for unemployed parents who cannot seek employment because they have to

care for their children, Duelfer said.

“If you have your child all day, you can’t go on a job interview,” she said. “It is a fulltime job these days just finding a job.”

KinderCare District Manager Yvonne Wolliston said the center has not received the amount of funding it had expected this year and has not been able to provide childcare services to as many children as originally thought.

Pafford said legislators in Tallahassee should prioritize the allocation of funding that will allow children to get into early learning so the parents can work.

“There’s no such thing as welfare any more,” he said. “Basically, if you become unemployed, you have to go get another job. It’s really the rock and a hard spot, if you look for a job and find someSee PAFFORD, page 4

$12.5 million, Greene said. The top five bidders, in order of committee ranking, were the Weitz Company with a bid of $10.54 million, Royal Concrete Concepts at $11.48 million, Balfour Beatty Construction at $12.75 million, WG Mills at $10.82 million and Suffolk Construction at $12.97 million.

The staff report recommended accepting the bid from the Weitz Company, which all three members of the selection committee ranked as their favored bidder.

But while the village had requested the complex incorporate a 1,000-kilowatt emergency generator system, the Weitz proposal included only 500kw of generator power, as the company’s designers calculated that to be what the complex would need.

The audience at the council meeting was full of employees and principals of the various bidding firms, who used the public comment portion of the review to make last-minute pitches for their proposals.

Royal Concrete Vice President John Albert, a Wellington resident, asked the council to make a fair, “apples to apples” comparison between bid proposals. “We did not qualify our bid, we did not provide allowances,” he said. “We put what you asked for; that was our approach. You asked for a 1000kw generator, that’s what we put.” On questions from Councilman Howard Coates, architectural consultant Steve Knight, who prepared the bid packets, confirmed that Weitz had made a provision for a 500kw generator while Royal had provided for 1,000kw, but couldn’t offer any estimate of how that would affect bid totals.

“You’re telling me something that bothers me a little bit,” Coates said, “because you approved the bid and said it complied with the specifications, yet I’m hearing that on something as important as an emergency generator, that it was half of what the specification was supposed to be. How does that equate to compliance with the bid specs?” Knight said his company did not approve the bids, but did provide a cursory review and comments to assist the selection committee. He said that bidders often offered justification for deviations from the specifications.

“There were other aspects of the criteria that were not complied with, that again we categorized as, for lack of a better term, were not deal-breakers as far as making the building functional,” he said.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine

Riverside Bank recognized two local high school graduates with $1,000 scholarships at its Wellington branch Tuesday. Jayne Branstrom of Wellington (above left), a graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, will attend the University of Florida. Julia White (above right), a Palm Beach Central High School graduate and also a Wellington resident, will attend the University of Miami. STORY & PHOTOS, PAGE 5

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

State Rep. Mark Pafford at KinderCare in Royal Palm Beach with caregiver Pramee Harripersaud and one of the infants in the nursery. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

Cancer Scare Puts A Damper On Acreage Real Estate Market

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Real estate appears to be the most recent victim in an ongoing investigation into a possible “cancer cluster” in The Acreage. According to an area official, Realtors have been required to add notice of the investigation into their sale contracts.

“I have been getting calls from Realtors, that with the suspected cancer cluster, they have had several contracts cancelled, and they have let me know that they had to add addendums to their contracts mentioning the suspected cancer cluster,” Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone told the Town-Crier Tuesday.

Local, state and federal officials began investigating fears of abnormally high rates of cancer in the northern part of The Acreage several months ago, after several parents raised the alarm about their children developing brain tumors.

Suzanne Horwitz, owner of Strategic Real Estate in Royal Palm Beach and a longtime Acreage specialist, said one of her clients was to close on a sale in a few weeks but SunTrust Bank denied the buyer a loan due to the possible cancer cluster.

“You can imagine how upset the seller and everybody involved are because it was a shocker to have this happen at this point in time,” she said.

A SunTrust representative confirmed the loan denial, adding that all loans are considered on a case-by-case basis. “It’s common industry practice not to move forward on a loan if environmental questions are raised,” SunTrust spokesman Mike McCoy said.

Real estate broker Nancy Jennings with Keller Williams Realty in Wellington said she has had three buyers back out on purchases due to the cancer concerns, but none were refused a loan.

“It’s basically a scare,” Jennings told the Town-Crier Wednesday. “We don’t have any answers. There’s, I think, five other areas in the country that have the same thing going on right now. I guess at this juncture, we have to listen to the doctors, and the doctors were on TV last night saying to get physicals and to be sure that everyone knows that it is going on.”

Damone said the real estate issue further complicates the “cancer cluster” issue.

“You have families of children and loved ones who have had cancer and serious surgeries, and they have great concern about the potential cancer cluster and are concerned about possible contamination,” she said. “We now have property owners in The Acreage who also have concerns, because either their property can’t be sold or maybe they need to get out financially from their existing home because they can’t afford it and don’t have the ability to sell it either, so there’s multiple issues of concern.”

sults of the studies and tests.

“In order to resolve everyone’s issues, whether it’s a family with a loved one with cancer that resides in The Acreage or an Acreage resident who owns a home they cannot sell, the bottom line to resolve the issue is to have the tests completed and the results be published, whatever the results may be, that we resolve the problem and find a solution,” she said. Palm Beach County Health Department officials have promised to offer some findings of the investigation this month. Horwitz said her buyer looked into having his own well test done before the results come back from the DEP, but was discouraged when he learned that it would cost $3,000.

“You can imagine how much passion is involved with this because you have a seller who doesn’t want to lose her home to foreclosure, wants closure in their life and wants to move on,” Horwitz said. “Here we’ve got a buyer who was excited about buying the property; he was looking forward to having a home for his son and was thrown with this, so he’s got mixed feelings: ‘should I move forward?’ He’s really not sure what he wants to do right now.”

Horwitz said she has no position on the issue but hopes it gets resolved soon.

“I’m just trying to be supportive of everybody,” she said.

“We’re not trying to put pressure on anybody. We figured we’ll wait to see what the tests say when they come in.” Horwitz said she expects Acreage residents, who mostly draw water from their own wells, will be more open to hooking up to the county’s water pipes due to the cancer scare.

“This is going to help push it in, fortunately and unfortunately, there are pros and cons,” she said. Fears that the groundwater in The Acreage is contaminated will be difficult to dispel, even if the tests prove the water is safe, Horwitz said. “People are going to have that mindset,” she said.

In more than 15 years in local real estate, Horwitz said she has not faced such an issue before. “I’ve seen The Acreage go through its ups and downs, and I’d have to say this is probably the most challenging that I’ve dealt with out there,” she said. Jennings recalled fears years ago about the risk of cancer for people living in houses near high-tension power lines. “Cancer is just so prevalent in our society that everyone has to find where it is coming from, whether it’s our water, whether it’s our ground, whether it’s our food or whether it’s fertilizer,” she said.

Jennings said the cancer cases in The Acreage might amount only to coincidence, and said her lenders are still providing loans to Acreage buyers.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection started testing water in Acreage wells last week, and the county has promised to perform soil tests. Damone said people should await the re-

“Look at Wellington,” she said. “I’ll bet you’d be amazed at how many people have cancer in our area. Until they have facts, I just can’t put any relevance to it until we know what’s going on. But it is scaring buyers.”

BACKPACK DRIVE

Wellington Grads Awarded Riverside Bank Scholarhips

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Riverside Bank recognized two local high school graduates with $1,000 scholarships at its Wellington branch Tuesday.

Jayne Branstrom of Wellington, a graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, will attend the University of Florida. Julia White, a Palm Beach Central High School graduate and also a Wellington resident, will attend the University of Miami. The bank provides scholarships statewide, with 18 students honored this year. Branstrom and White are the two from Palm Beach County. Riverside Bank’s Lake Worth Branch Manager Steven Figiel said it was an honor to present the scholarship checks to the two Wellington graduates. “After reading the curriculum vitae of these two young women, it was clear to me that both Julia and Jayne had the type of high school careers most young people can only dream of having and almost all parents hope for on behalf of their children,” he said.

Figiel said White had given much to the community, while maintaining top grades

and being active at her school.

“Amongst her many accomplishments,” Figiel said, “Julia was a Pathfinder nominee for academic excellence, an AP scholar and a Publix Character Counts award recipient. Julia was a member of the National Honor Society and the recipient of her school’s Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. I’ve always been personally impressed by an athlete like Julia, who was a member of her school’s cross-country, soccer and volleyball teams, and all the while maintaining straight As and achieving an incredible 2120 score on the SAT college boards. In addition to her scholastic and athletic achievements, Julia spent over 400 hours in the field engaged in volunteer service work with the American Legion and St. Therese de Lisieux Church.”

Figiel described Branstrom as a top-notch student who went the extra mile for her community and her school.

“As for Jayne, amongst her many accomplishments were two 2006 Scholastic Merit Awards for Excellence in Artistic Achievement and Printmaking,” Figiel said. “Jayne

also earned a Gold Key Scholastic Art Award and was a scholar-athlete, playing soccer for both her high school and the Wellington Soccer Club while maintaining a 3.5 GPA and earning a place on her school’s honor roll. Jayne, like Julia, also was an active volunteer in the community, supporting St. Augustine Catholic Church and Queen of Peace Catholic Church as a youth minister and participating with St. Rita Catholic Church in their mission trips in South Carolina and Virginia.”

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Steven Figiel congratulates Julia White.

Jayne Branstrom

Riverside Bank’s

Steven Figiel talks about the scholarship. Jayne Branstrom and Julia White join parents and bank representatives for a photo.

OUR OPINION

Back To School A Good Time For A Driving Reality Check

With Palm Beach County students heading back to school this Tuesday, the sudden absence of children and teenagers hanging around town on weekdays may come as a relief to local motorists. Of course, that sense of relief is forgotten the first time they get stuck behind a school bus during rush hour. But frustrating though it may be, school traffic is just something we have to deal with.

As students get back into the routine of the school season, many of them are moving up from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school. But for another segment of the student population, the change is in means of transportation. This puts an entirely new level of pressure on students — and creates a new level of responsibility for their parents as well.

Just because a student has “graduated” from taking the school bus doesn’t mean it’s time to show off. Young drivers may be tempted to taunt their busriding buddies, who are often the instigators. But it’s important your child knows this is absolutely the wrong time to goof around. The childish pranks should be left on the bus. Teens who aren’t mature enough to understand this should not be behind the wheel of a car. And for those who can handle the

Of Course Parents Are Responsible!

In response to Amanda Coupe’s letter last week (“Parents, Not Child Care, Are Responsible”), of course the parents are responsible for these deaths! But the deaths I’m referring to are the ones where the parents are supposed to drop off their children at a daycare facility and get sidetracked and go to work instead. They are not going out to have a good time and party.

In my previous letter, I did not mean for the daycare facilities to take the responsibility of the children left in cars. That would be ludicrous! However, I know that I would want the person taking care of my baby for eight to nine hours a day to care if my child does not show up without a phone call from me.

I don’t understand why that should be so hard to do. The Palm Beach County school system calls if our children do not show up for school. Why can’t daycare facilities do the same? It’s not like it would happen everyday anyway.

The parents and the daycare facilities need to work together. I ask that every parent tell their own daycare provider to call them if they don’t show up. It might save a life.

Anne Crane Wellington

Bid Issues On New Wellington Village Hall

On Aug. 11 [Wellington Village Council] members reviewed bids for our new village hall. It came down to two low bidders. The lowest bidder did not meet the request of staff by adding a 1,000-kilowatt generator or a 2,000-amp service, which is needed to run a building of this size, along with leaving room for expansion.

All bidders did a designbuild, lowering cost as requested. It does state to put

a 2,000-amp service along with a 1,000-kilowatt generator, plus a grand stair inside.

As for the green roof, no bidders allowed for this because it does not meet Florida code and cannot be installed, so this is a non-issue.

The lowest bidder stated at first it was eight-inch concrete then later stated it was ten inches; which is true?

Our second-lowest bidder has more square footage, grand stair, 1,000-killowat generator and a 2,000-amp service. Not to forget they design it with future inside expansion, we are getting more for our dollar here.

The bottom line is this could end up in court with years of time delay, along with cost increases. Don’t forget about our $200,000 to $400,000 legal bill. I did send out an e-mail requesting all bids be rejected to save time and money. After thinking about it, I was wrong. The second bidder did meet all our village’s requests, so to change the game after the fact is legally wrong in my opinion. Both contractors are very qualified to build this project. I do not personally know either contractor. Please come on Aug. 25 to voice your opinion.

Bart Novack Wellington

Give Obama

A Chance

Though he remains one of the most well-liked presidents of this nation, lately President Obama has gotten criticisms that run the gamut from, “…he has more than tripled our country’s debt in a few months that he’s been in office” to “…if the government can’t run the Cash for Clunkers program, how can it promote the Obama healthcare plan?” and “…the unemployed ranks had grown to a staggering 9.4 percent in close to 200 days after he’s taken his oath.”

Unless they’ve got supernatural powers, no human can change a faulty system

responsibility, the rules of the road should be explained to them in full and early on. There’s only so much a teen will remember from driver’s ed class. That is why it is important that parents set an example. Nothing makes a more lasting impression than parental behavior. If what a child observes is the wrong way to do things — for example, driving without a seatbelt — then he or she will likely follow suit. Don’t let your child pick up on your bad habits. Educating children about the rules of the road starts before they’re even thinking about their first car.

When it comes to driving, the best lesson you can pass on to your teen is to drive safely and not be in a hurry. On our crowded roadways, patience is indeed a virtue. And when those school-zone lights are blinking, it can mean the difference between safe driving and putting young lives at risk. Unfortunately, defensive driving isn’t exactly the norm in South Florida, which makes it even more difficult to instill good driving techniques in young motorists. That is where parents must step in to offer a reality check. Remember: the drive to the hospital is always longer. The life-and-death consequences of reckless driving may not make for a pleasant topic of conversation. But the reality is far worse.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

overnight. And Obama is no Merlin who can just whip out his magic wand and “presto,” all the heavenly forces will align to set things on earth perfect.

He won the election fair and square, so let’s just hold our horses. As he points out in his town hall meetings across the land, he firmly believes that his programs will come to fruition, not in two months, but halfway through his administration.

Our grumbling in these early stages of our journey through trying times would be for naught. Let’s curb this cacophony of rancor, quash the skeptics in us and cast aside party colors to unite and act as one. Let’s give President Obama a chance to turn our economy around!

Mario Casuga Royal Palm Beach Police

Officers

Are Human

Some of our inner cities and even other areas of our county are not unlike war zones, where gunfire, robbery, assaults, burglaries and gangs are rampant. Too often, residents are prisoners of their own homes, and our papers are replete with driveway shootings and innocent civilians killed or maimed as collateral damage. Into these areas we send our police officers to maintain order, and to this end, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has been quite effective in reducing crime. Unfortunately, neighborhood police programs take time to build up trust — perhaps years. The young men and women sent into these areas have to deal with what they witness each day as human beings. Each person has a different way of coping. For some, over time it becomes depression as they feel that it is an uphill battle, arresting a drug dealer or gang member, and two days later they are standing on the same corner, mocking the officer. For other officers, it might be to feign a macho image online, for

inside themselves it is more likely they cannot cope with “turnstile” justice, and just slough it off as the status quo. But in the streets, they are for the most part compassionate. Unlike our movie and TV macho cops, our police officers must eat, live and work 12 hours a day in this environment, spending more time at work daily than at home. As a Marine in Vietnam, and later as a police officer in New York, I experienced this phenomenon, where one cannot even get neighbors to point out the rapists, the persons who have just brutalized an elderly woman, etc. This preys on the mind; surely it does. Our police are victims too. They go where most citizens would not, they deal with all manner of crime and social problems, and they also accrue both physical and emotional problems from their constant exposure.

We never hear about the children they deliver in their patrol car, the couple of dollars they give to a homeless man, the family dispute they resolve to keep a father home, the young boy they help get into a sports league, the animal they save from abuse, or their off-duty time they spend working in the community for food drives and sports leagues. No, this is not headline material. These are things that happen every day.

Talk to any war veteran or any police officer who worked in a disadvantaged area. No one is left unscarred; all are victims. Recent high-profile newspaper accounts are sensationalism. It sells print, but has anyone considered the other side of the story? I make no excuses herein, but rather offer an explanation, heretofore ignored.

Fortunately, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Col. Mike Gauger are cognizant of these circumstances, and as good administrators, will deal with them. Our sheriff’s office has not had sufficient time to make the necessary inroads to effect the change our sheriff envisions. It is only recently

that he took over these failing departments.

George Unger Wellington

Opinion Piece Ignores Facts

Town-Crier “Staff,” in the opinion piece in last week’s edition, expressed happiness that Judge (now Justice) Sotomayor was confirmed to the Supreme Court. “Staff” also noted that the confirmation process has become one in which senators “oppose eminently qualified nominees because of their [the nominees’] point of view.” “Staff” then goes on to say, “Whether you agree or disagree with Sotomayor’s outlook on life, there is general consensus that she is one of the most qualified individuals ever to be nominated to the high court.”

A few points that could well have been considered by “Staff” are absent. The first is that the point of view and outlook on life of a Supreme Court justice can make a huge difference in her formal opinions if she allows it to do so. In this case, Justice Sotomayor has embraced the fact that personal experience matters. Yes, she modified her stated opinion that “a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” She said, at her confirmation hearing, over and over again, she would respect precedent. But the Supreme Court, unlike lower courts, establishes the final precedent. No precedent existed for declaring a “right to abortion.” And yet the Supreme Court used an also unprecedented “right to privacy” to legitimize the “right to abortion.” While it is impossible to predict what rulings Justice Sotomayor

will make or join on to, it is clear that “the richness of her experiences” will inform them, not simply the law.

“Staff” could have noted that President Obama, when he was a senator, justified his opposition to President Bush’s appointees on the basis of their political opinions, not on the basis of their qualifications. He said of Judge [now Chief Justice] Roberts, “It is absolutely clear to me that Judge Roberts truly loves the law. He couldn’t have achieved his excellent record as an advocate before the Supreme Court without that passion for the law, and it became apparent to me in our conversation that he does, in fact, deeply respect the basic precepts that go into deciding 95 percent of the cases that come before the federal court — adherence to precedence, a certain modesty in reading statutes and constitutional text, a respect for procedural regularity, and an impartiality in presiding over the adversarial system.” But, Sen. Obama said, he required that a nominee, in order to merit his senatorial vote, should share “one’s deepest values, one’s core concerns, one’s broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one’s empathy.”

“Staff” might have noted that the “only nine Republicans to vote in favor of the confirmation,” must have been in sympathy with (or empathized with) Judge Sotomayor’s personal predilections. If, that is, they were following President Obama’s own requirements.

I personally disagree with then-Senator Obama’s view on the requirements for a positive vote on a Supreme Court nominee. But “Staff” might have at least mentioned it. Phil Sexton Wellington

Baseball Fan Looking For Autographs? Here’s A Great Resource

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

So you want to start an autograph collection of your favorite baseball players, managers, coaches or even umpires? It’s hardly troublesome if you know Jack Smalling, the Ames, Iowa collecting genius who has a whopping 94 percent of their home addresses — if they live in the United States, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, and if they are still living. All you need to do to start is purchase the 15th edition of Jack’s The Baseball Auto-

Pafford

Childcare Funding

continued from page 1 thing, which would be pretty amazing anyway, and you don’t have the childcare, you’re really forced with working with no one watching the kids, which is breaking the law.”

Pafford said he considers subsidized childcare a major factor in improving Florida’s economy, but the most signif-

icant thing the legislature can do is to reform the tax structure so that further cuts do not have to me made, including in childcare.

“Revenue will continue to go down if we don’t look at things like intangible taxes, if we don’t look at different structures to bring in more money,” he said. Intangible taxes on stocks and bonds were eliminated in recent years, resulting in a revenue loss of at least $1 billion, Pafford said. Taxes on Internet sales and elimination

graph Collector’s Handbook for $22.50 and then go after these autographs on your own.

Smalling, a 68-year-old widowed crop-insurance salesman, started his collection in 1962. He now has more than 100,000 signatures to enjoy and boast about.

This should encourage you as you seek to engage your

of tax exemptions on nonfood items could be other potential sources of revenue, he said.

Pafford, who just completed his first session in the State House, said that as the state has cut its budget, counties have been raising their taxes to make up for the shortfall, but he said he doubts counties would be able to subsidize childcare.

“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I’m in this position that I see them up close, and you think it would be common

favorites from about 8,000 diamond-related individuals. Naturally, you should keep in mind that many of today’s popular players, in addition to their top-heavy personal schedules, keep a very wary eye on the personal privacy of their families and are far more reluctant to sign than old-timers.

Smalling claims to use

sense, but apparently it’s not common sense to everybody.”

Pafford said the state had an opportunity to collect $440 million in unemployment compensation from the federal government, some of which would have gone to childcare, and the leadership in Tallahassee turned it down.

“That money would have gone to people who have lost their jobs, which means it would have gone for their food, their gas, their childcare, but I also understand

only public records to amass his very special listings. He mentions 411.com as a major help in his ongoing quest, but also relies heavily on the old-fashioned ploy of sending postcards promoting his book to his target audience. Each card reads, “return service requested.” If someone buys the book, it is a fat bonus, but otherwise he discov-

that money could have been directly linked into getting these kids into early learning,” he said, adding that the money will be available until 2011. “My guess is we’re going to try it again, but the more support we get, the bet-

ers if the address is correct. Any pitfalls in the operation? Many players have multiple homes, and foreign players are extra tough to ferret out. Players move around a great deal, making it difficult to catch up with them. But hey — for just $22.50, you too can probably have a wall or two papered with the signatures of your heroes.

ter our chances.”

Pafford encouraged citizens to participate more in the governmental process. “I really believe that if elected officials are not made aware, we will not make the best policy decisions,” he said.

‘It’s very frustrating. I’m in this position that I see them up close, and you think it would be common sense, but apparently it’s not common sense to everybody.’

— State Rep. Mark Pafford

STATE REP. MARK PAFFORD VISITS ROYAL PALM BEACH KINDERCARE

State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88) visited KinderCare Learning Centers in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday to talk with teachers about childcare issues he is addressing in Tallahassee. During his visit with the children, Pafford read a book to the four-year-olds. Pafford noted that he took his own children to KinderCare when they were of

school age.

CHRIST FELLOWSHIP SALUTES COMMUNITY HEROES AT RPB CAMPUS

It’s

Christ Fellowship Church in Royal Palm Beach hosted “Community Heroes Night” last Saturday. Police and firefighters were on hand to make citizens aware of all the resources that local law enforcement and firefighters use. There were also interactive scenarios and presentations. The church is located at the corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. For more info., call (561) 799-7603.

Shaylyn Bonar and Kendall Carr brought Chick-fil-A meals to Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Explorers.

Fire-Rescue Capt. Doug McGlynn explains the need for smoke alarms and fire safety drills.

Janice Brown of Florida’s Blood Centers draws blood from Gina Melchionna as Leopoldina Gonzalez watches.

Stephanie Jimenez with Deputy Luis Ledbetter and Clue.

Megan Trammell, Mandy Connolly, Eva Bracciale and Kaitlyn Callahan.

Mark Grinage inside the SWAT truck.

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

One of the caregivers with infants in the nursery.Pafford reads a story for the four-year-olds.

Pafford meets with two-year-olds, along with caregiver Betty Kearney.

Wellington Victim Reports Case Of Credit Card Fraud

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

AUG. 9 — A woman called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Wellington last Sunday in reference to an incident of credit card fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim was contacted last Saturday by a representative of Chevron and Texaco Visa regarding the collection of $1,644.97 in unpaid balances. She informed the representative that she had never opened an account with Chevron and Texaco, and that she had only one Visa card and it isn’t through that company. According to the report, the representative then advised the victim that her Social Security number and date of birth were used for the account, which was opened in February. The victim noted that the address listed on the account was not hers. The representative further informed her that check-byphone payments were attempted but never cleared. After verifying that the victim had not opened the account, the representative closed it. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.

• • •

AUG. 5 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Mid-Western Communities Service Center last Wednesday regarding a delayed vehicle burglary incident. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s SUV was parked outside the center from 2 p.m. on July 28 to 10 a.m. the following morning. Sometime during those hours, someone gained entrance to the vehicle and stole a camera bag containing two digital cameras, extra lens, memory card, batteries and miscellaneous attachments. The total amount of stolen property was valued at approximately $2,000. There were no signs of forcible entry.

were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.

AUG. 10 — A resident of Vinings Circle called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday night regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Monday, someone gained entrance to the house and stole approximately $18,615 worth of jewelry that was stored in a luggage container in a closet near the front door. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

AUG. 10 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Monday to a home on Canterbury Circle regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 a.m. last Saturday and 3:30 p.m. on Monday, someone stole a handcarved teak sculpture from the exterior garage wall. The item is valued at approximately $1,000. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

AUG. 10 — A resident of Anhinga Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 p.m. last Sunday and 6 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s 2006 Jeep Wrangler and stole two iPods, $200 cash and a pack of cigarettes. An iPod case was left behind, from which the deputy took DNA swabs. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

AUG. 8 — A Boca Raton man was arrested for drunk driving early last Saturday morning in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation made a traffic stop on a 1998 Oldsmobile traveling on Southern Blvd. after observing the vehicle swerving. The deputy made contact with the driver, 55-year-old Serge Moise, and a second deputy was brought in to conduct a DUI investigation. Moise was taken into custody following a roadside sobriety test, according to the report. Moise was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

AUG. 8 — A resident of Periwinkle Place called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Saturday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 and 6:30 p.m. someone entered the victim’s 2002 Honda Civic, which was left unlocked. Stolen from inside was a Garmin Nuvi GPS unit, valued at approximately $200. There

AUG. 10 — A man was arrested Monday on burglary charges in connection with a theft in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, the victim was doing landscaping work in the back yard of a home in Counterpoint Estates when a silver Honda Accord pulled up next to his trailer, which was parked in front of the residence. Two men exited the vehicle and stole several pieces of equipment from inside the trailer, according to the report. The deputy noted that the Honda was registered to a Royal Palm Beach woman whose son, 22-year-old Devon Bent, the deputy had dealt with before. A search of the county’s stolen property database revealed that Bent had pawned items similar to what were stolen from the trailer. The victim positively identified the equipment as his. AUG. 11 — A Saratoga Lakes resident called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim received a call from her neighbor, who said he had found her checkbook on the roadway in front of his home. The victim said she left her vehicle unlocked and that it had been tampered with. In addition to the checkbook, a bag of children’s clothes belonging to another neighbor was See BLOTTER, page 16

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Mario Chihuahua, a.k.a. Mario Acosta or Mario Hernandez, is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 190 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 01/21/74. He has a tattoo on his right arm and shoulder. Chihuahua is wanted for violation of probation on a conviction for DUI. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Greenwich Drive in Greenacres. Chihuahua is wanted as of 08/13/09. • Jose Rosado is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 190 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 012/02/84. Rosado is wanted for second-degree arson, grand theft with damage over $1,000, grand theft and burglary. His last known address was Briar Oak Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Rosado is wanted as of 08/13/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.

Mario Chihuahua

Jose Rosado

Freshman State Rep Takes Aim At Aronberg’s Senate Seat

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

State Rep. Kevin Rader (D-District 78) has declared his candidacy for State Senate District 27 because he believes it will give him greater opportunity to pass legislation.

District 27, which winds its way across the peninsula from coastal Palm Beach County to Lee County in the west, is being vacated by State Sen. Dave Aronberg, who has announced his intention to run for state attorney general in 2010. Rader, who lives in Delray Beach and owns a chain of independent insurance agencies including one in Royal Palm Beach, was elected to House District 78 last year to replace term-limited State Rep. Richard Machek.

Other declared candidates hoping to replace Aronberg include Peter Burkert, a Democrat from Fort Myers, and two Republicans, former state representative Sharon Merchant of Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto.

Rader said a Senate seat offers a greater opportunity to get legislation passed.

“I think being in the Senate, I can get more agenda items moving than in house, where it’s a little more difficult being in the Democratic minority,” he said. “That was one of the major reasons.”

Rader said state representatives typically do not spend a lot of time in the House before they move on. “Jeff Atwater spent two years in the

House before he moved on to the Senate,” he noted.

Rader added that he felt he would be better able to control insurance issues, unemployment compensation, healthcare and education from the Senate. “You have more of a say,” he said. “When you’re in the Senate, it’s more of a collegial body.”

A cigarette tax bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Ted Deutch, is a good example of what can happen in the State Senate, Rader said. Deutch got it passed in the Senate, but the House voted it down without discussion, although it was ultimately included in the final budget, he said.

“We had little debate, in fact we had no debate in committees or councils for two and a half months on what it would do, whether it was a

good or bad thing,” Rader said.

Senate District 27 is similar to House District 78, Rader said, because both stretch over long portions of the state. “My current House seat is very similar,” Rader said. “It goes 90 miles north and south. The Senate seat goes 90 miles east and west. I currently represent a district that covers parts of Lake Worth, Boynton, Delray and Boca, over the lake to the City of Okeechobee to the north and Indiantown just east of that, and it makes its way all the way over to Fort Pierce.”

District 27 stretches from east of the airport in Palm Beach County over to Fort Myers, covering parts of Wellington and Loxahatchee. The disparate populations in both districts still have

some issues in common, Rader said. “Lee County has foreclosure problems just as we do in Palm Beach County, but sometimes you have different socioeconomic issues,” he said, pointing out that the Palm Beach side of District 78 is a middle to upper middle socioeconomic level while the northern part of the district is lower level, where many of the children are in free and reduced school lunch programs.

The most difficult part is having to maintain separate offices at each end of these districts, said Rader, who is married with four children.

“Sen. Aronberg has staff over in Fort Myers, and I have staff in Fort Pierce. It helps you be a better legislator,” Rader said. “I can’t be there every day, but I try to

get there every few weeks or so. I have office hours open to anybody who wants to meet with me. I will have the same thing out in Lee County. I have a business and I have a family, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get out there and represent the people to the best of my ability.”

Town, County At Odds Over Okeechobee Traffic Calming

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council decided last week to continue pursuing traffic improvements on Okeechobee Blvd. despite county doubts.

The town wants to see a signal installed at the F Road intersection and a roundabout at the B Road intersection and has been pressing Palm Beach County to cooperate.

At the council’s Aug. 4 meeting, Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp said he met in July with Palm Beach County Engineer George Webb to present the results of the town’s recent traffic study, which indicated that a traffic signal is warranted at F Road.

Lipp said Webb told him that if the county’s traffic counts match those of the study, the town would be free to install the signal at its own cost. The signal would cost about $250,000 with an annual maintenance cost of about $2,000, both of which would be the town’s responsibility.

Lipp said the town could

cover both expenses with gas tax revenue, $130,000 of which it did not spend this year.

Discussing a roundabout at B Road, Lipp said, Webb noted that Okeechobee Blvd. has 90 cars going east and west on Okeechobee Blvd. for every three going north-south on B Road. According to Webb, the county has had problems with roundabouts where there is a high disparity of traffic volumes, Lipp said.

“When you have such a lopsided difference, the people going east and west on Okeechobee aren’t going to yield to anybody coming out of B Road,” Lipp said.

The traffic study showed an average speed of 52 mph on Okeechobee Blvd., and Lipp said Webb told him the county has not installed a roundabout on a road with such high speeds. Traffic is down eight percent across the county due to unemployment and lack of tourists, Lipp noted. As a resident of North Road, he drives F Road south to Okee-

chobee to turn eastbound, and since February has not had to wait long to turn, if at all.

Lipp felt that a more logical location for a signal might be D Road, which bisects the town, but the traffic study showed no call for one there.

“We’re sort of stuck,” he said. “When it comes to the roundabout, the numbers are sort of off.”

Councilman Ron Jarriel said he felt the county was slighting the town. “George Webb has never wanted to do anything for Loxahatchee,” he said. “What George Webb doesn’t even consider are the fatalities we’ve had on Okeechobee Blvd. As far as a red light at F Road, I’ve never liked that idea; it was wrong when we came up with it. D Road splits Loxahatchee right in half. If you want to help the people of Loxahatchee, you’ve got to put a red light at D Road.”

Jarriel said the county is making the widening of Okeechobee Blvd. to four lanes a top priority, and Loxahatchee Groves residents should attend meetings to see

that it is improved in a manner they desire.

“We as residents do influence the county commissioners,” Jarriel said. “When they want to come through with four lanes, we deserve a red light at D Road. We’ve talked about roundabouts at F Road and B Road. Roundabouts will work, I don’t care what the speed limit is, and if the speed limit is the problem, we as a town have to slow it down to 35 instead of 45 just like Royal Palm Beach did.”

Jarriel accused the county of favoritism toward surrounding communities. “The worst scenario is that the town has to pay for a red light, and if we do get a red light put in, we need the county to maintain that red light,” he said.

Councilman Dr. Bill Louda, a longtime opponent of Okeechobee Blvd. widening proposals, said the council should accept that the road would eventually be four lanes and encouraged exploration of a “rural parkway” scenario as the least painful way to go.

Lipp said if the town is going to put up $250,000 for a signal, it should be able to decide where it goes, and recommended looking at D Road. “That’s really the spot that it needs to be,” he said.

Mayor David Browning said he does not want to see construction of a roundabout only to see it torn up when Okeechobee Blvd. is widened.

“If we’re going to go four lanes, I would like to see a nice rural parkway,” Browning said. “I think if we get that, the need for lights or a roundabout will be vastly diminished, because if you have a nice median, you can make that transition a lot safer.” Browning said he liked the idea of lowering the speed limit. He said it makes no sense to him that Crestwood Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach is four lanes with no driveways and has a 35 mph speed limit, while Okeechobee Blvd. through Loxahatchee Groves is two lanes with driveways and has a 45 mph speed limit.

Lipp said lowering the speed limit would not be effective without enforcement.

“It’s a matter of getting caught,” he said. During public comment, Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Administrator Clete Saunier suggested extending the culverts at F Road whenever the widening work takes place, so they need not be replaced for the installation of the roundabout. Louda asked the town attorney to look into the legality of the town controlling the speed limit on Okeechobee and to have it on the agenda for the first meeting in September.

Town Clerk Matt Lippman asked for staff direction from the council, and Browning asked him to look into the legality of the town reducing the speed limit, further investigate a signal at either D or F Road, pursue the “rural parkway” concept on Okeechobee Blvd. and look into extending culverts at F Road when the road is widened.

SEMINOLE RIDGE MARCHING BAND PREPARES FOR THE NEW SEASON

The Seminole Ridge High School marching band, the reigning Florida Marching Band Coalition state marching champions, recently began practice for this year’s season. The 150-plus-member marching band has been practicing its 2009 show under the direction of SRHS Band Director Tim Skinner, with assistance from Percussion Director Mike Rivero and Drill Writer Bradley Watkins. The photos shown here are from Monday’s practice.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Tim Skinner gives direction to one of the flute players.

Percussion Director Mike Rivero

Drill Writer Bradley Watkins

WPB KICKOFF PARTY FOR MAKING STRIDES BREAST CANCER WALK

Organizers of the Palm Beach County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held a kickoff party Wednesday morning at the Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach. Speakers included co-chairs Dorothy Bradshaw and Kelly Fason, Team Recruitment Chair Amy Bradshaw and several others. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Okeeheelee Park. For more info., contact Bradshaw at (561) 346-5910 or Jeremy Morse at jeremy.morse @cancer.org.

BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS

Laura Bassinger-Morse, Laureen Hunter and Dorothy Jacks.

Amy Bradshaw, Sherrie Trotman and Cathy Adriance.

Jeremy Morse, Dorothy Bradshaw and Kelly Fason.

Volunteers Becky Chase, Cari Viehe and Julie Bennett.

Joy Humphries and Diane Smith.

Julie Kime and Catherine Engel.

Hawk band members practice their routine.

State Rep. Kevin Rader

New Partnership To Conduct Estate Sale Aug. 22 In RPB

Everybody’s got stuff. Generally speaking, this “stuff” has been lovingly collected over the years and its owners love having it around. It isn’t until moving, downsizing or doing a major cleanup that all this fabulous “stuff” becomes a problem. That’s where Vivian Highberg of Hilding & Larson comes in.

For 20 years, Highberg conducted estate sales throughout Pennsylvania. She also appeared on the PBS program Antiques Roadshow

Events At Community Of Hope

Community of Hope Church in Loxahatchee Groves has the following events planned in the coming months:

• Free Divorce-Recovery Support Group — Divorce hurts. DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. It’s a place where you can be around people who understand what you are feeling, while hearing valuable information that will help you move on. Videos of family counselors together with discussion guided by trained fa-

for six seasons as an accredited appraiser prior to moving to Florida in 1996. In 2008, Highberg was the on-site appraiser for the inaugural Wellington Antique Show. Now she has teamed up with Deb Miles, promoter of that show, to offer estate sales. The first one will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22. “People sometimes don’t realize that they can hold a ‘living estate’ sale,” Highberg said. “They plan to sell their items themselves, and they

cilitators help participants heal from the hurt of a broken marriage. Community of Hope Church offers this free 13-week DivorceCare series twice a year. The next series begins Sept. 14 and will be held Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Church office (14101 Okeechobee Blvd., just west of E Road).

• Free Grief Support Group — The death of a loved one brings pain and confusion. You may find that few people understand how you feel. GriefShare is a faithbased seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close — a spouse, child, family member or friend. Videos of grief experts and discussion guided by trained facilitators help

may not know what they really have. They need an expert to come in and assess the age and value of their possessions.”

“We’ve all seen people on Antiques Roadshow who purchased something for $2 and it’s really worth $2,000,” Miles added. “It’s lucky for the buyer, but think how the seller felt if they were watching the show.”

On Saturday, Aug. 22, Highberg and Miles will hold a rather unusual estate sale. The net proceeds of the cash-

only sale will be donated to the Vivian Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit that benefits those in need of assistance with the expense of college as well as My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust.

The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 166 Sparrow Drive #4A in Royal Palm Beach (on the southeast corner of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards).

Items include Edna Hibel artwork, a complete Berkey

NEWS BRIEFS

participants move through their grief journey in a healthy way. The free 13week GriefShare series is offered twice a year. The next series begins Sept. 10 and will be held Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Madison Green area.

• Financial Training Seminar — Community of Hope is offering “Financial Peace University” on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wellington Christian School beginning Sept. 9. This 13-week course includes DVD teaching from Dave Ramsey and provides practical training in principles of money management that will help participants meet their financial goals, reduce debt, develop a personalized spending plan

and gain financial freedom. The cost is $99 per individual, married couple or engaged couple and includes a lifetime membership fee (participants can repeat the course in future sessions for no additional charge plus gain access to a wealth of resources and information from Dave Ramsey’s web site at www. daveramsey.com). It is important to register ahead of time to receive the course workbook.

• Free Fitness Class — PraiseMoves is a fitness class designed to increase your balance, strength, flexibility and relaxation in an atmosphere of Christian meditation. Stretching postures, strength poses and Pilates core work done to

& Gay 1930s bedroom set, Hummels, a Beaux Arts mirror, armchairs, end tables, a coffee table, a fainting couch, a teacart, an antique sofa, Chintz and Shawnee dishes, Imari, a classic style bedroom set, a dining room set, several bookcases, an iron-andglass dinette, sterling hollowware and lots of artwork, lamps, knick-knacks, glassware, kitchenware and a vacuum cleaner.

“When we do an estate sale, the client does not have to lift a finger,” Highberg

praise music will enhance your health in both body and soul. Led by certified fitness instructors, this class is offered at no cost to both men and women by Community of Hope Church. Childcare can be provided if you register ahead of time. The class begins Sept. 8 and meets Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Royal Palm Beach Elementary School cafeteria (11911 Okeechobee Blvd.).

Community of Hope Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m. for worship in the Royal Palm Beach High School auditorium. For more information, or to register for any of these events, call (561) 753-8883 or e-mail info@ gocoh.com.

said. “We do all the set-up, pricing, tagging — and schlepping! When it’s over, anything that hasn’t sold can still be sent to an auction house, donated or put in a consignment shop. But, with an estate sale, the client has the advantage of seeing a price tag on every item. They won’t have a $100 piece going for a dollar. And we can always do a partial estate.” For further information on holding an estate sale, call Highberg at (561) 969-1405 or Miles at (561) 795-5916.

Movement Arts Dance Academy in Royal Palm Beach will hold fall registration on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The academy is accepting registration for students ages two through adult in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hiphop, modern, musical theater, pointe, acro, baton and more. Movement Arts is located at 1241 N. State Road 7, Suite 11. For more information, visit www.movementarts danceacademy.com or call Kelly Todd Grandusky at (561) 792-9757.

PBSO’S ROYAL PALM BEACH SUBSTATION HOSTS BACKPACK DRIVE

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach helped Zachary Holdings Inc. distribute 100 school backpacks filled with supplies Thursday to H.L. Johnson, Royal Palm Beach and Cypress Trails elementary schools and Crestwood Middle School. Zachary Holdings is the building contractor for Florida Power & Light’s West County Energy Center.

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

(L-R) District 9 PIO Diane Smith, Zachary Holdings Community Relations Director Miriam Perez, Capt. Eric Coleman, Zachary Holdings Personnel Manager Sherry Thomas, Deputy Doug Carranza and Zachary Holdings Construction Coordinator Jason Utz.Cypress

WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDE SATURDAY AT OKEEHEELEE

The Ski Club of the Palm Beaches kicked off the 2009 Goode Water Ski National Championships Tuesday at Okeeheelee Park. More than 800 of the nation’s top water ski athletes are competing. The event concludes Saturday. For more info., visit www.usawaterski.org. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington skiers Laurie Lindsey, Judi Stevens, Valerie Smith, Frances Woofendon, Danielle

President

and

and

Dumala, Ski Club of the Palm Beaches

Mike Dumala, Samantha Dumala, Ashley Stevens

Jeff Kepchia.

Jeff Kepchia takes a break.

Organizers

volunteers gather for a group photo.

Samantha Dumala practices on Monday.

Twin competitors Janet Piercy and Janice Prociw.

Trails teacher Agnes Austin-Guyer.

Diane Smith and H.L. Johnson Principal Sharon Hench help unload supplies.

RIBBON CUTTING FOR JOHNNY’S DREAM

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting at Johnny’s Dream, located at 6901 Okeechobee Blvd. (near the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at the corner of Jog Road). Johnny’s Dream offers 36 flavors of ice cream, cases overloaded with plump, chocolate-dipped strawberries and chunks of rich, creamy fudge in every shade, from coconut to espressomocha and a Technicolor rainbow of sorbets. For more info., call (561) 656-5241 or visit www.johnnysdream. net. Pictured above are Johnny’s Dream staff and family members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Area Equestrian Companies Merge

Rich Faver of South Florida Equine Quarantine recently announced the company’s merger with Adrienne Rowles of Black Swan Stables at her new location in Wellington’s Palm Beach Point.

Faver said the partnership will give riders and trainers a facility that will maximize their training needs. “The riding facilities at the new location are second to none and built with the competitive edge in mind,” he said. “Top riders and trainers know that a variety of training venues are critical to being physically prepared to compete immediately when a horse is released from quarantine.”

So what makes this place different? “The European free-jumping pen is a special feature that, to my knowledge, is not offered at a quarantine facility anywhere else in the country,” Rowles said. “This is a standard form of

training in Europe, and they start the horse very young with this technique. The horse can negotiate the obstacle, or combination, without the interruption of the rider on his back. Or it can be used as a traditional round pen, just larger.”

Faver and Rowles are no strangers to the quarantine business. Faver was the manager of a busy veterinarian’s quarantine practice in the late 1990s before he opened South Florida Equine Quarantine five years ago. Rowles had a training facility in Virginia in the early 1990s and got a license to quarantine a client’s stallion. Shortly after moving to Florida, she opened a facility in Jupiter to accommodate a private Jupiter client who had a busy import and sales stable. For more information, visit www.southfloridaequine quarantine.com or www. blackswanstables.com.

WRMC Joins In Homeland Security Drill

Early in the morning on Wednesday, July 29, Wellington Regional Medical Center joined in the Southeast Regional Domestic Security Task Force’s emergency drill simulating a terrorist threat to the region referred to as Operation Cassandra. Such drills test the area’s resources, ensuring proper training for state and local personnel and disseminating of terrorist intelligence.

Participating agencies from Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties were called upon to test their response to multicounty terrorist threats. Hospitals in the region were joined by fire-rescue, sheriff’s offices, ambulance services, health departments, Palm Beach County Emergency Management and the Transportation Security Ad-

ministration to work together as a multi-disciplinary task force in response to the emergency.

“We were pleased with our facility’s response to the preparedness drill,” WRMC Chief Nurse Executive Carole DiFlorio said. “In light of world events, it is in the best interest of Wellington Regional Medical Center and the community to keep our healthcare providers’ skills at the highest proficiency level. In addition, collaborative practice between emergency and hospital personnel only leads to enhanced response.”

Florida’s geographic and demographic characteristics make it an inviting environment for a terrorist attack.

Florida adopted a regional approach to domestic security following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Florida’s

Wellington Regional Medical Center’s ER disaster team.

Regional Domestic Security Task Force is organized into seven regional emergency management organizations. The regional approach encourages state and local governments to benefit from

shared information and resources. In addition, preparing regionally helps to improve interpersonal networks locally, which are vital to disaster preparedness and response.

BIG Wireless Honored For Wellington Work

At the annual “Best Fit Integrator” award ceremony held recently, the Center for Digital Government and the Village of Wellington presented an award to John Dolmetsch, president of Business Information Group (BIG) Wireless.

The Best Fit Integrator award recognizes outstanding private sector companies that work closely with government entities to tailor solutions to suit their unique requirements. BIG Wireless was selected for their system integration efforts in the village, where they provided system integration services and launched a Tropos wire-

less IP broadband network covering approximately 40 square miles.

“BIG Wireless provided outstanding service and were involved throughout the project,” Wellington’s Tom Amburgey said. “They are a preferred integrator for future IT projects. In addition, the Tropos network has provided reliable performance and it is already being used for other applications, including building inspectors, code enforcement officers, live web cams in parks and SCADA applications. The availability of a city-owned wireless broadband network has allowed the government to re-

duce dependency on commercial carriers for wireless services. More applications will be added to the Tropos network in the future.”

Last year, the village kicked off a project to evaluate alternatives for updating its dated water meter reading system. The utility selected to deploy automated meter reading (AMR) to improve meter reading accuracy and efficiency as well as to reduce water loss. The utility department worked closely with the village’s IT department to assess and select their solutions. A wireless broadband network from Tropos was selected as an IP foundation

that could be used for AMR and other applications where outdoor wireless connectivity access is required.

Within three months of completing the project, the village experienced a wide range of benefits for the water department alone. For example, a savings of $2,000 per month by reducing its dependency on cellular data modems, fast identification of leaks as meters are polled more frequently (every four hours) and reassignment of three meter readers to other customer service functions, further improving the quality of service provided to the community.

Wellington Realtors Earn CDPE Certification

Bill Tavernise, Ida Robbins, Ted Jagessar, Howard Kalkstein, James Helms, Jill Hogg and Maggie Braham, all Realtors with the Keyes Company, have earned the prestigious certification of CDPE (certified distressed property expert). They have completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. Short sales allow a cash-

strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. In the West Palm Beach and Wellington area, more than 25 percent of homes are in danger of foreclosure. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as we work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” Tavernise said. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, said that Realtors with the CDPE designation have valuable train-

ing in short sales that can offer the homeowner better alternatives to foreclosure, which destroys credit ratings. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, Charfen said.

The Keyes Wellington office is located at 12012 South Shore Blvd. For more information, call (561) 967-4300.

NICU Baby Undergoes First Surgery At Wellington Regional

The first surgery on a baby at Wellington Regional Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was done on Monday, Aug. 10. The baby, three-month-old Cameron John Altman, was born with bilateral inguinal hernias.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Steven Stylianos, chief of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital. Also attending to the baby was pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Stein of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

When Cameron was born on May 14, he was at 25 weeks of gestation, weighing only one pound, seven ounces and measuring 11 inches in length. According to mother Dawn Altman, neonatologists gave him only a 40-percent chance of survival.

“Thanks to the great care he has received in Wellington Regional’s NICU, Cameron has made wonderful progress,” she said. “He now weighs four pounds, seven ounces. Having his hernias repaired makes him one step closer to coming home.”

Wellington Regional Med-

ical Center opened its new Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in January. A Level III unit cares for the widest range of newborn conditions, from the most unstable babies to those born with the lowest birth weights. A specialized staff or NICU nurses and respiratory therapists, along with neonatologists, physicians trained in the care of the sickest and small newborns, staff the unit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Level III nurseries also attend to special surgical needs and neurological conditions.

“Considering this was the

first NICU surgical case, it was as if we had been working together for some time,” Stylianos said. “The OR and NICU teams were poised, professional and the surgery went off without a hitch.”

The Centre for Family Beginnings maternity unit at Wellington Regional Medical Center has a long history of providing excellent care for routine, healthy pregnancies are now treating the highest risk conditions of pregnancy and newborn care.

For additional information, or to schedule a maternity tour, call (561) 753-2626.

The Area Agency On Aging Earns Award For Its Innovation

Jacob Frith Completes Navy Basic Training

Seaman Apprentice Jacob Frith, son of David Frith and stepson of Michelle Frith of Loxahatchee, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Frith completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot

camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor. Frith is a 2007 graduate of Wellington High School.

The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Inc. recently announced that it has again been recognized for its excellent and innovative work by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) with an Aging Innovations Award, the group’s highest honor.

The 2009 n4a Aging Innovations Awards recognize 16 cutting-edge and successful programs from across the country for their innovation and the difference they make in the lives of older adults and their caregivers. The agency

was recognized for the Jupiter HeadStart Godparent Program, which provides socialization, recreational and educational activities for preschool age children in a HeadStart program. The godparents assist the classroom teachers in improving students’ academic and social achievements, offering support, tutoring and encouragement.

The 2009 Aging Achievement Awards were presented in a wide array of categories, including caregiving, collaboration/partnership, community planning, emergency

preparedness, healthy aging, home and community-based care, housing, information and referral, intergenerational, transportation and more.

The programs recognized for Aging Achievement were the We Care neighbor-helpingneighbor program and the Senior Wellness Program.

The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of all seniors and their caregivers in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. Part of a nationwide

network, the Area Agency on Aging serves seniors through information on aging issues, advocacy, one-on-one assistance and a host of services that help seniors maintain their dignity and independence.

For more information about the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast programs, services, volunteer opportunities, sponsorships or donor contributions, call (561) 684-5885, visit www.myanswerson aging.org or visit the offices at 4400 N. Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach.

Veterinarian Visits St. Peter’s Pre-School

As part of their lesson on pets, students in the voluntary pre-kindergarten program at the St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Child Enrichment Center were recently visited by Dr. Siobhan Byrne, a veterinarian at Community Animal Hospital. The children learned about how to care for their pets and what a veterinarian does. They also had the opportunity to see the x-ray of a dog that had a broken leg. The children loved their visit from the vet.

St. Peter’s CEC offers early learning experiences in a nurturing Christian environ-

ment for ages two and a half through pre-kindergarten. Varying daily preschool schedules available. The school’s objective is to offer pre-school children the best early learning environment before entering kindergarten.

St. Peter’s CEC teaches based on the five areas of child development: social, emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual. Centers in the classroom provide for individual and small-group play. The preschool is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 798-3286 or visit www.st peterscec.com.

Send Palms West People items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Neonatal Care — Surgeon Dr. Steven Stylianos, respiratory therapist Damon Wiseley, nurse Lovely Joji and anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Stein with their young patient.

Area Agency on Aging CEO Jaime Estremera-Fitzgerald, RSVP/Jupiter Godparent Program Supervisor Kim Wilson and n4a Chief Operating Officer Robert McFalls.

Dr. Siobhan Byrne with St. Peter’s students.

McDonald Graduates Carleton College

Marshall “Mac” McDonald IV, son of Marshall and Mary Ellen McDonald of Wellington, graduated cum laude with honors in economics from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. on June 13.

McDonald attended Wellington Christian School from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated in 2005 from the Brooks

School, a private secondary school in North Andover, Mass. While at Brooks, McDonald rowed on the varsity crew team for three years, rowing first boat in his junior and senior years.

At Carleton, McDonald played linebacker on the varsity football team for three years and was co-captain his senior year. In addition, McDonald was elected to the stu-

dent senate during his junior year.

McDonald spent his summers studying at Harvard University. During his third semester at college, he studied economics at Cambridge University in England. Following his college graduation, McDonald moved to Chicago, Ill. to begin work as a financial analyst for Morgan Stanley/Van Kampen.

P.W. Presbyterian’s Pastor Gary Cecil Enters The Martial Arts Hall Of Fame

Rev. Dr. Gary Cecil, pastor at Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves, was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and honored as Kung Fu Master of the Year on Aug. 1.

The induction ceremony was held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Nashville, Tenn. and was sponsored by the International Martial Arts Council of America.

Cecil was surprised to receive his invitation earlier this year from the Grand-

masters Council representing the Hall of Fame, and he had no idea that he would be honored as Master of the Year. Not only was he surprised, but his congregation was as well.

Cecil has been studying martial arts since 1968 and teaching since 1975. He began teaching for the physical education department at King College in Bristol, Tenn. while a student there. He received his degree in bible/religion and philosophy and went on to receive

Carlos Cassano Completes Air Force Training

Air Force Airman Carlos Cassano recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Cassano completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Cassano’s parents Rick and Jackie Cassano of Royal Palm Beach and the rest of his family are very proud of his achievements in the Air Force. Cassano is a 2008 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School. His first tour of duty will be in Misawa, Japan.

a doctor of ministry degree from the seminary and become an ordained Presbyterian pastor in 1984. He has been pastor of Palms West Presbyterian Church for nine years.

But it was during a previous pastorate in North Dakota that Cecil began a youth/ young adult outreach ministry using his martial arts expertise. The program grew and has continued to thrive under his leadership for 20 years, but Cecil would be the first to say that his students

and instructors really deserve the honor.

Cecil is currently ranked internationally as an eighth level black belt and a Black Dragon master instructor in wu chi chuan kung fu. He teaches a faith-based tai chi and chi kung class on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at his church.

Palms West Presbyterian Church is located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. For more information, call Cecil at (561) 795-6292 or visit the church’s web site at www. pwpchurch.com.

Terwilliger Goes On Tragos Quest

Florida Gulf Coast University senior Sean Terwilliger recently returned from the Tragos Quest to Greece that took place from June 19-28. Terwilliger, a political science major from Wellington, is a member of FGCU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity chapter. Only 18 of the hundreds of SigEp undergraduates who apply win a chance to attend this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Terwilliger was one of them.

“It was the definitely the pinnacle of all the experiences that I have had in college,” Terwilliger said. “It showed me what the hard work that I’ve done up to this point can give, but has also shown me how to continue my endeavors in life with virtue, diligence and brotherly love as

the forefront of my motivations.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity recognizes its Ancient Greek heritage and every year sends a few of its elite undergraduates on a weeklong trip to Greece. The Tragos Quest to Greece is a total immersion in the birthplace of western civilization and participants walk in the Athenian Agora where Socrates first formed philosophy.

Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded on Nov. 1, 1901 at Richmond College (now the University of Richmond). It has grown to be the largest fraternity in the nation with more than 14,000 undergraduates in 256 chapters across the country. It has more than 250,000 alumni in its 108year history.

Brooke Knight Graduates From Navy Training

Brooke Knight of Wellington graduated from her U.S. Navy training on May 21 at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. Prior to joining the Navy, Brooke worked in the field of finance. She also had her own band, which performed at the Little Smiles gala at Binks Forest Golf Club last spring. Brooke then went to “A” school at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where she intended to specialize in the Master at Arms program for K-9, bomb security checks, etc.

While at Great Lakes, Brooke’s chief petty officer caught wind of her singing ability and that she had been a professional singer for some time. She was asked to sing for the chief commander. From that point, they invited

WHO’S NEW!

Jada Danielle Martinez — daughter of Scarlett Flores and Felix Martinez of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 29.

Colton Robert Burtch son of Brittany and Kevin Burtch of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 31.

Aniyah Simone Hinds daughter of Tesleigh Eure and Shane Hinds of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 31.

Valeria Antonelle Vicente — daughter of Alejandra and Efraim Vicente of Royal

Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Aug. 1. Julianna Sadie Kasica daughter of Kristen Marie Kasica of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Aug. 4.

Talon Joseph Leas — son of Christina and Jason Leas of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Aug. 4. Alec Lawrence Romagnino — son of Andrea and Lawrence Romagnino of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Aug. 5.

Alex Kostantinos Kapopoulos (pictured left) was born July 25 at Wellington Regional Medical Center. His parents are Mandi and Peter Kapopoulos of Wellington. Alex is their second child. He has an older sister named Ava.

her to be in the music program. Brooke is now stationed in Norfolk, Va., where she has been appointed as the music director. Brooke is a member of the Wellington Art Society, along with her mother Karen.

Brooke Knight

Carlos Cassano

Marshall “Mac” McDonald IV

PEE WEE BLACK A TEAM ON A MISSION

As the sun sets on the first week of training camp for the upcoming Pop Warner football season, the defending Treasure Coast Conference South champs Royal Palm Beach Pee Wee Black appears to be a team on a mission. With a core 15 players returning and 11 quality football players gained in the off-season, the team that has run off an impressive 18-1-1 record in its first two years has the appearance of one that could crash the party in Orlando and challenge for the ultimate Pop Warner prize. Returning players include Dalton Trimble, Will McCullough, Spencer Longley, Logan Wakefield, Michael Shakes, Ricky Durr, Brandon Cordero, Justin Zybriski, Damon Schmidt, Noah Walker, Ty Cross, Chase Brandine, Josh Case, Christian Salamone and Griffin Scrauth. The incoming players are Derrick Derilus, Christian Field, Matt Mazatti, Hunter Arbit, Alex Micciche, Jeremy Johnson, Alex Field, Damian Cruz, Ryan Rinaldi, Carson Ruffa and Gino Martinez. Pictured above, McCullough connects with Schrauth for a score against the Jupiter Black team.

Jessica Rheney of Royal Palm Beach competed in the 2009 National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Championships held July 1925 in Jackson, Miss. The invitation-only event is the largest youth barrel race in the world. The NBHA Youth World participants numbered more than 1,000 in the Teen Division (13 and up) and more than 773 in the Youth Division (12 and under). The contestants fran for more than $200,000 in cash and prizes, which included eight Cactus champion saddles, Gist buckles, Drysdales championship jackets, eight 4-Star trailers, Tony Lama boots and more. Contestants came from more than 37 states, as well as Canada and Italy. They

must qualify each year in their respective states to compete in the championships and are among the finest youth equine athletes in the world. They qualify on a local level by the competing at NBHA-sanctioned shows or they can win a “wildcard” at NBHA national shows, super shows and state shows. Rheney qualified at the NBHA Florida championships for the past two years. She placed 28th at this year’s Youth World Championships. Rheney competes throughout Florida and is currently in first place in the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse’s Saddle Series Show. For more information about the NBHA, visit www. nbha.com.

the Finest Minds in Medicine Have Come Together in Palm

Promoter Announces 2010 WEF Schedule

Equestrian Sport Productions, manager of the Winter Equestrian Festival, has released the finalized dates for the competitions commencing Jan. 13, 2010 and running through April 4. As in the past two years, the festival will feature 12 weeks of AA USEF competition showcasing some of the world’s top Olympic riders and awarding major prize money at one of the premier equestrian facilities in the world.

Once again, the festival will feature the Battle of the Sexes, the Nations Cup and as always, high-level grand prix shows including a new grand prix on the grass at the stadium during Week 10. Each week will feature a major night class including the Exquis World Dressage Masters, the World Championship Hunter Rider Spectacu-

lar and the United States Hunter & Jumper Association International Hunter Derby. Equestrian Sport Productions is working on a number of new events, including hunter competitions on the grass on the new derby field at the stadium, as well as a charity pro-am team jumping competition.

“We are truly excited about our event lineup for next year and are looking forward to delivering an even greater experience to all,” Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said.

Sponsor contracts are currently being finalized and details will be announced shortly. Winter Equestrian Festival dates are as follows: Jan. 1317, Speed Derby; Jan. 20-24, CSI 2* Grand Prix; Jan. 2731, CSI 2* and Battle of the Sexes; Feb. 3-7, World Dres-

sage Masters CDI 5* and CSI 2*; Feb. 10-14, CSI W 3*; Feb. 17-21, WCHR Hunter Spectacular and Jumper Derby; Feb. 24-28, CSI 2*; March 3-7, FEI Nations Cup CSIO 4*; March 10-14, CSI W 4*; March 17-21, CSI 2* Grand Prix on Grass; March 24-28, CSI 5*; and March 31 through April 4, USHJA International Hunter Derby and Young Horse Finals.

Equestrian Sport Productions has scheduled further improvements to the facility, including replacing the footing in the Gene Mische Hunter Ring and the Rost Arena with a sand/felt footing. The overall drainage of the facility will be completed, and well as further improvements to the wash racks and stabling areas. In addition, new food service areas are being developed that will significantly

improve the variety of the food offered for both exhibitors and spectators. Stabling packages are now complete and will be available for distribution soon. In addition, the AA-rated Holiday & Horses show will be held Nov. 25-29 with all competition for the day concluding by noon on Saturday so that the entire community may enjoy the Second Annual Palm Beach Steeplechase to be held on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the stadium. The Holiday & Horses show will also include a hunter derby competition. A CSI World Cup qualifier will be held on Friday, Nov. 27, during which an exhibitor party will be held for both the horse show and steeplechase audiences. For more information, call (561) 795-0783 or visit www. equestriansport.com.

Cats Girls Score Big In Georgia Competition

Five gymnasts from Cats of Wellington recently traveled to Savannah, Ga. to compete in the AAU National Gymnastic competition.

In Level 2, Sidney Glaubrecht scored 9.125 for her vault, 9.075 for her bar routine earning her fourth place, 9.325 for her beautiful beam routine, 9.35 on floor winning her a bronze medal for third place, and taking fifth place all around.

In Level 4, Angela Chandler scored 8.875 on bars winning a fifth-place medal, 9.0 with her great vault taking fifth place, 9.30 with her awesome beam routine, and taking seventh place all around. Taylor Michie had a great day, winning fourth place on bars with 8.850, scoring 9.150 on her vault and earning a third-place bronze medal. Michie’s 9.250

on floor earned her another third-place bronze, and a gorgeous beam routine scored 9.475 to win third place. She took the fourth-place medal for all around. Michela Arbocco scored 8.950 on beam earning her a fourth-place medal, 9.1 on vault, an incredible bar routine scoring 9.050 and earning her a second-place silver medal, an amazing floor routine with 9.4 earning a silver secondplace medal, and winning a silver second-place allaround. Rayven Glaubrecht won a bronze third-place medal for her vault with a score of 9.350. Glaubrecht’s 9.0 on bars won her a secondplace silver medal, her beam routine scored 9.175 and also won her a second-place silver medal. Her amazing floor routine scored 9.550 and won her a first-place gold medal

as well as a first-place gold for all around, earning her the title of national champion. The girls are very dedicat-

Wellington Holding Registration For Girls Softball

The Village of Wellington’s girls fall softball league will begin on Saturday, Aug. 29. The league includes beginners and experienced players ages five to 14. All recre-

ational games are played at the Tiger Shark Cove Park softball complex located at 13800 Greenbriar Blvd. Registration is $80 for Wellington residents and $100 for non-residents. Registration

fills up quickly, so don’t miss your chance to sign up. The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 28. Player evaluations will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Tiger Shark Cove Park. For more infor-

mation, call Programs Coordinator Jill Denoff at (561) 791-4786. For information on Village programs, events and activities, call (561) 7914005 or visit www.ci. wellington.fl.us.

At Cleveland Clinic Florida Health and Wellness Center, now in CityPlace Tower, you can benefit from the kind of advanced technology that helped make Cleveland Clinic a worldwide name in medicine. Located right in your own community, the Center offers state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and sophisticated electronic record keeping that can move your care to a whole new level. Call for an appointment today. You deserve nothing less.

Call 1.866.401.6948 for an appointment or visit clevelandclinicflorida.org.

Medal Winners — (Front) Angela Chandler and Taylor Michie; (middle) Sidney Glaubrecht; (back) Michela Arbocco, Coach Felipe Restrepo and Rayven Glaubrecht.

ed to their workouts and admire their coaches, Margarita Martinez, Felipe Restrepo and Mario Restrepo.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Aug. 15

• The Village of Wellington is participating in the “Feds Feed Families” food drive. Donations will be accepted during normal business hours through Saturday, Aug. 29 at the following locations: the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), the Wellington Recreation Center (11700 Pierson Road), the Safe Neighborhoods Initiative office (1100 Wellington Trace), Village Hall (14000 Greenbriar Blvd.) and the Building Department (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., call Parks & Recreation Director Ivy Rosenberg at (561) 7912582.

• The Ski Club of the Palm Beaches will conclude the 2009 Goode Water Ski National Championships on Saturday, Aug. 15. More than 800 national top water ski athletes were slated to compete during the event. For more info., visit www.usawaterski.org.

• Registration for Wellington Little League Baseball will be held Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wellington Little League is for ages four and up. Visit www.wellington littleleague.com for more info.

• Buckler’s Craft Fair will return to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16. Browse through one-ofa-kind gifts, custom home décor, jewelry, furniture, crafts and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $7. Call (386) 860-0092 or visit www.bpcraftfairs.com for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host its “Back to School Bonanza” on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will take free digital fingerprints and pictures to make ID cards for children. A cookout and other activities will take place as well. For more info., call (561) 904-4000 or visit www.wholefoodsmarket.

com. • Calico Critters’ Mrs. Fischer Cat will visit the Learning Express of Wellington on Saturday, Aug. 15 to share moments of fun and creativity with children of all ages. Children will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Mrs. Fischer Cat. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. Learning Express is located at 2625 State Road 7, near Whole Foods Market in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 4223112.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Meet the Author: John Henry Fleming” on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on Fearsome Creatures of Florida, Fleming’s tale of imaginary beasts that create havoc. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Boca Raton Museum of Art (Mizner Park, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton) will present Films for a Summer Afternoon on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. featuring Black and White in Color (Noirs et blancs en couleur) by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Tickets are distributed one hour prior to the film showing on a first-come basis. Call (561) 392-2500 for more info.

• The Dave Matthews Band and Robert Earl Keen will perform Saturday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Cruzan Amphitheatre (601-7 Sansbury’s Way). Reserved and lawn seating is available. Call (561) 795-8883 or visit www.livenation.com for more info. Sunday, Aug. 16

• Visions Hair Salon (12793 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Wellington Plaza) will host its Third Annual Haircut-athon on Sunday, Aug. 16 to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. all haircuts and blow-dries will cost $25. To schedule an appointment, call (561) 790-1696.

• Little Smiles will hold a

Texas Hold ’Em Charity Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 16 at Swamp Grass Willy’s (9910 Alt. A1A, Palm Beach Gardens). Registration is at 2 p.m. with play beginning at 3 p.m. The suggested donation for the tournament is $100, which will benefit Little Smiles, an organization that endeavors to brighten the lives of sick and at-risk children in hospitals, hospices or shelters. A spectator donation of $10 per person is requested. Call (561) 383-7274 for more info.

Monday, Aug. 17

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a Forum on National Healthcare Reform in which speakers will discuss perspectives on the issue Monday, Aug. 17 at noon at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach). The event will start at 11:30 a.m. with a catered buffet by Tijuana Flats. The cost is $15 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. Admission must be paid in advance. For additional information, call (561) 7906200 or visit www.palms west.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

• The South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) will hold “Senior Science Day” on Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors ages 62 and older will receive complimentary admission on this day of interactive activities, special guest lectures and a chance to see the “Amazing Feats of Aging” exhibition before it closes. Visit www.sfsm.org for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Anime Grab Bag” on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Pocky will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement and Reaffirmation (PROCER) will hold a friendship meeting and cultural networking at Bonefish Grill (9897 Lake Worth Road) on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Join leaders of the Hispanic community and meet the talented artists of Palm Beach County. Complimentary appetizers will be served and happy hour will be extended for PROCER’s guests. Admission is $5. For more information, call (561) 4395631.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Learn this month’s thought-provoking topic when you pre-register by calling (561) 790-6070. Thursday, Aug. 20

• Free Diabetes Screenings will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 20 and 21 at Kmart (10101 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). No appointment is necessary. For more info., call Cholestcheck at (800) 7133301.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “$Dollar$ Origami” on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. for ages eight and up. Learn how to fold play money into animals and objects. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Perform poetry, short prose, an essay, dance, play an instrument or sing for an audience of all ages. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070. Saturday, Aug. 22

• The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will hold “Palms 101: Not Another Queen Palm Workshop” on Saturday, Aug 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop is tailored for the homeowner on a quest for more knowledge on palms. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org for more info.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.

Equine Pre-Vet Academy At WHS Growing In Popularity

Kim Breier grew up riding and training horses. Her mom, Joan Krogmann, owned and ran La Petite Cheval Farm in Loxahatchee for many years. A lot of kids learned about horses there, including Kim. After Breier graduated from college, she worked as a medical laboratory technician, testing blood samples. But she found that between the long hours and the low pay, she didn’t have time to ride. So she switched to education. Eventually she ended up back in Palm Beach County, and 15 years ago she started teaching science at Wellington High School. Some years later, the school began looking for a special magnet program.

“This was a no-brainer,” Breier said. “Wellington is the center of the horse world for part of every year, when the big shows are here. A lot of people who live here are horse crazy, especially kids. [Former WHS principal] Cheryl Alligood thought it up, and we all agreed that it was a great idea. It was a nice way to combine our unique community with a respected science program.”

Breier helped create and write the program for the WHS Equine Pre-Veterinary Academy, the only one of its kind in Florida, and it got underway during the 2005-06 school year. The program’s goal is for the graduates to be accepted into medical or veterinary programs when they continue on with their educations.

The program is rigorous. Students have to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Freshmen take biology honors and equine zoology. Sophomores take anatomy, honors physiology and honors chemistry. Juniors have a choice of Advanced Placement classes: chemistry, biology or En-

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

vironmental Equine Science II. Seniors have either honors or Advanced Placement physics, and veterinary research and internship. Additionally, students are required to get hands-on experience by completing 20 hours of volunteer service working in an animal care facility.

“The two most popular classes are equine zoology and vet research,” Breier said. “That’s where we really focus on horses. They basically learn all the horse diseases, system by system. They get to do a lot of projects and presentations, and they use a lot of state-ofthe-art technology. We’re getting new computers this year, and we’ll even be able to do DNA testing and diagnostic tests.”

Assistant Principal William Dupere said the demand for spots in the program is high.

“There’s a lottery system for who gets selected,” he said. “This year we had 160170 applicants for 50 openings. We check to make sure students are maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, and also want to see how they’re doing in their math class, which should be Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 honors. They also need three teacher recommendations. About 40 percent of our students are

acquainted with or interested in the horse industry and hope to continue in the animal science field in college.”

The one thing the school can’t offer is actual hands-on experience with horses. Breier said having horses on the campus would be an insurance nightmare, and coordinating field trips is difficult and expensive, although students have taken a tour of Palm Beach Equine Hospital. Breier said she invites local vets and other equine professionals to come in and guest lecture. One vet taught the students how to perform CPR on a dog.

As of last year, there were approximately 125 students currently enrolled in the program: 25 juniors, 50 sophomores and 50 freshmen. Interestingly, only about a third of the students hope to work with horses or as some sort of vet. About a third love animals and aren’t quite sure where this course of study will lead them. The last third is more interested in medicine.

Incoming senior Morgan Bailey of Wellington, who enrolled the program three years ago, said, “I always wanted to be a vet, and the specialized classes we get are very helpful. I understand a lot more now about horses, dogs and cats. The classes are challenging, but not too hard and not too easy. I think the whole program is a super idea, and I’m glad I got to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Bailey said her favorite class so far was the anatomy class, when they spent half a year dissecting a cat. She said she learned a lot from it, and that the hands-on stuff is more fun than just reading a book.

Kim Breier with her horse Legacy (a.k.a. Mickey Mouse). Michelle Cohen, a senior from Palm Beach Gardens, has spent two years with the program and plans to major in equine veterinary studies in college. “I love horses. They’re a big part of my life,” Cohen said. “I love all the hands-on stuff, like the CPR dog and the different labs. I think this will give me a strong foundation when I eventually go on to vet school, maybe at Auburn or UF.”

Breier said the program is both fun and satisfying. “The kids are so into it, so interested,” she said. “I love watching them grow as they move up. Everyone really gets along well. It’s like being part of a big family. I consider myself incredibly lucky.”

MARSHALL FOUNDATION HONORS GRADUATING SUMMER INTERNS

The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation held a graduation celebration for its 2009 summer interns on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 33480 Bar & Grill in West Palm Beach. Proceeds from the event benefited the 2010 Summer Intern Program. In attendance were State Sen. Dave Aronberg and State Rep. Kelly Skidmore. Graduating interns included Lindsay Baker, Shannon Dufy, Amber Enns, Katelyn Lynch and Ben Mills. Before they were handed their plaques, the interns each spoke about how much they enjoyed interning with the foundation and how they spent their summer. For more information about the foundation, call (561) 805-TREE.

Budget Public Input

continued from page 1 first and second readings for approval in September.

“You’re asking for a third, or prior?” he asked.

“Correct,” Willhite said.

“And it doesn’t even have to include the council — it could just be staff answering questions from the public, if they have them, about the budget.”

Village Clerk Awilda Rodriguez confirmed Thursday that the public budget forum would take place at the main room of the Wellington Community Center on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m., at which time the “Foreclosure 911” symposium will begin.

Bids Postponed

Two Weeks

continued from page 1

Priore noted that companies crafting proposals based on adequacy would be working on different terms than companies aiming for stricter adherence to requested standards, resulting in a greater disparity of cost estimates among the bids.

Mayor Darell Bowen said the difference in approaches gave him uncertainty over whether the bids were on an equal footing. “I couldn’t get my hands around a real comparison because of these very issues,” he said. “That’s what concerns me — are we really getting the lowest bid?” Greene said that both Weitz and Royal included 1,200amp electrical service in their proposals, and differed only in the 500kw-1,000kw generators. “I’m concerned about

“Staff will be available to answer questions,” Rodriguez told the Town-Crier, noting that while council members are not required to participate, some may attend.

Rodriguez also noted that the council is scheduled to approve solid waste and surface water assessment rates and the utilities budget at its Aug. 25 meeting, and that the two public hearings to adopt the final budget are scheduled for Sept. 15 and 29. The council usually schedules its meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, but has shifted September’s meetings to avoid conflict with the county’s budget approval dates.

The village’s draft budget is available on its web site at www.ci.wellington.fl.us.

these discrepancies,” Bowen replied. “We had one bidder who lowered his bid by $2 million at the oral presentations based on changing some of these things.”

Councilman Matt Willhite noted that when he installed an emergency generator at his home, he went by the maximum load usage the house would require, and he suspected that Weitz did the same in their proposal. “Would that 500 difference that we potentially don’t need... would that difference cost seven to nine hundred thousand dollars?” he asked. The answer to that question was not immediately clear.

Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz cautioned the council that they had two options: to go with the staff’s recommendation, or to reject all bids and start the process over. He warned that Weitz might mount a successful legal challenge if the council chose a lower-ranked firm, while the other bidders would not be as

Academy 20 Spots Available

continued from page 1 man and Major Tony Araujo have worked to institute in Royal Palm Beach.

“That’s what the future is, law enforcement working with the community,” Smith said.

Participants will visit the new aviation unit on Southern Blvd. and see a PBSO helicopter close up. They will also tour the county jail on Gun Club Road.

“We have strict regulations as far as allowing individuals to go inside the jail,” Smith said.

“Since this is a sheriff’s office-sponsored event, we are actually going to have guides

likely to successfully challenge the council’s selection of Weitz.

Kurtz also noted that the village settled on design/build proposals as the most costeffective approach, and that such proposals would not offer clear-cut comparisons.

“When you want to get that kind of apples-to-apples comparison, where you want to be able to say, ‘how much are you willing to allocate for this toilet or that toilet’ and know it’s the same toilet, you’re going to have to go through a different process,” Kurtz said.

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto asked for a timeline on restarting the bidding process. Village Manager Paul Schofield estimated that for another design/build proposal it would take ten weeks to catch up to the present point. Putting the design work before the actual bids on construction would be a process lasting into next year, he estimated.

and supervisors from the jail and the Corrections Division to take them inside and see the inner workings of our corrections facilities.”

Participants will also visit a simulated crime scene. “We are going to set up a crime scene, and the citizens in the academy will actually walk into a crime scene and not know what they are looking at until the people who work in the crime scene unit explain it from point A to Z,” Smith said.

At the end of the course, there will be a graduation ceremony where participants receive certificates.

The academy will dispel myths and misperceptions some people hold about law enforcement, Coleman said.

“This is to get the informa-

Coates suggested putting off the decision for two weeks, in which time village staff could point out the various ways in which the proposals differ from village requirements.

After further discussion on the possibility of reevaluating the proposals, Schofield asked for council direction.

“If you instruct us to reevaluate, we will not speak to the bidders,” he said. “What we will do is I will send the staff back to look at the differences, we have already identified them, we will cost them independently, and we will provide you with those costs. But the evaluations team will be instructed specifically not to speak to the bidders and to do this independently.”

Kurtz cautioned the council members also not speak to the bidders.

A motion to table the bid selection until the council’s Aug. 25 meeting passed 4-1 with Willhite opposed.

tion out there, so that when they see a helicopter flying over their neighborhood, they will instruct their neighbors to go inside,” he said.

“They’ll recognize that a perimeter is being established and be able to communicate to people around them what is happening, to be our friends out there and help us get the word out.”

The organizers are looking for 20 participants — ten from Wellington and ten from Royal Palm Beach. “These communities are linked in many ways,” Coleman said.

“There are many areas of mutual concern, and we look

Saint David’s-in-the-Pines

Episcopal Church in Wellington will host a ministry fair and barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11:30 a.m.

The community is invited for a day of fun with friends and family as well as plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. All proceeds will benefit the St. David’s Youth Group.

St. David’s-in-the-Pines offers Sunday services of Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10 a.m. with Sunday school. St.

Blotter continued from page 6 found. A scan of the area was conducted and other vehicle burglaries were discovered. There was no suspect information available at the time of the report. AUG. 11 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a home in LaMancha on Tuesday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report,

to build upon that.” The academy is designed for anyone who has been curious about the inner workings of law enforcement, but is only for people who will have the time to complete the entire series.

“We realize it is a big commitment,” Coleman said. “It’s ten Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:30. It’s pretty important that they make every effort to attend every one of those sessions.”

A random drawing will be held to select participants. Anyone interested in participating should e-mail Smith at carhartd@pbso.org.

David’s is a church for people of all ages that is clear about the Christian faith, recognizes the importance of lay people, encourages people to grow in the faith they profess and believes that everyone should live to make a difference in the world. The church is located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information about the barbecue, call Debbie at (561) 793-3828, Alison at (561) 801-3105

sometime between 2 and 6:40 a.m. someone entered the victim’s 2005 Ford Expedition and stole a TomTom GPS unit, valued at approximately $150. Parked next to the Expedition was a 1999 Saturn from which an Apple iPod was stolen. The vehicles had been left unlocked. Two prints were lifted from one of the vehicles. There was no further information at the time of the report.

State Rep. Kelly Skidmore with Norm Gitzen and Deborah Nichols.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg (second from left) with the 2009 graduating interns.

Randall Wooley, Joe Schweigart, John Marshall and Pat Gleason.

John Marshall and Steve Kaufman.

Intern Amber Enns with her dad Jonathan and grandmother Katie.

Intern Linsday Baker with her family.

Uncle Sam Should Consider My Healthcare Reform Plan!

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about how Medicare is going to be cut and the nation’s healthcare system is going to be saved at the expense of the elderly. Alarmists make it sound like the government would determine who lives and dies by deciding who can see their doctor, when they can see their doctor or even if they can see their doctor.

Forget all that. Life is just a bowl of Cheerios here in Welkyland. Because if Uncle Sam would only ask me, I would give him my ultra-easy, no-muss, no-fuss answer to the healthcare crisis. And that answer is: do away with prescriptions.

Uh-huh. It’s just that easy.

If he would only ask me, I would tell him that there are three reasons to go to the doctor. One, you have an obvious injury like your arm is hanging by a thread. OK, go to the

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

doctor for that. Two, you want to stay healthy.

Under my unique and startling plan, that would be encouraged. Three, you need a prescription. That reason needs to go. I mean, after we’ve lived a few years, many of us know when we need an antibiotic. We know when we’ve gotten into poison ivy. We know when our rheumatiz has flared up. With my plan, we’d just walk into the pharmacy

and say, “I’d like a bottle of blah-blah-blah, please.” Done. Not only that, but I’ve learned so much about medicine by watching television commercials these days. I tell you, I’m almost ready to qualify for my medical degree. I’ll settle down in front of America’s Got Talent with a bowl of popcorn and pretty soon I know everything I need to know about depression, obesity, flatulence, “sudden urges” and no urges at all. Now that I know which medicine I need, just give it to me!

Imagine: no making appointments, no wasting time in the waiting room, no donning a cheesy paper gown. Sounds good, huh? Think of the money we’d save! Plus, it would free up the doctor’s time for people with real problems — missing digits, rebellious internal organs, shark bites and so on.

But this is where Uncle Sam would use the excuse that doctors are there as a stopgap measure between drugs and drug addicts. Yeah, that’s worked out really well so far. My daughter got a free sample of a prescription drug in the mail yesterday. The accompanying paperwork stated that it was a two-day sample of a 14-day treatment. I guess that sort of distribution is OK with Uncle Sam because he knows it’s against federal law to steal from six other mailboxes to complete your dosage. Start sending out two-day samples of Valium, and I assure you that someone’s going to connect those dots. So I figure my plan is at least as brilliant as anything the government has come up with to date. Yet Uncle Sam never comes to me. I wonder why.

‘G.I. Joe’ Does Well On Meager Plot, Script And Star Power

I’ve been wondering for the past year or so whether or not movies need scripts or even actors anymore. The best actors in the recent Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen were the robots. Now in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra we have final confirmation. We do not need either to create a successful film.

G.I. Joe will disappoint anyone who has any love of movies that involve characterization or plot. Yet for all of that, it is diverting and fun.

The script comes across as if a couple of guys got together over a long lunch and said, “let’s make a movie that only has special effects.” They pretty well got that. The movie is essentially a series of set-piece battles. You have good guys attacked by super bad guys and then rescued by super good guys. The super bad guys attack and take a super weapon. The super good guys go after it.

The set pieces were great fun. Watching wild new weapons, sitting through a long chase through the center of Paris, major at-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

tacks on both the good guys and the bad guys’ home bases made up most of the movie. There were enough explosions sending people and equipment flying to satisfy anyone.

Now the whole Star Wars series might be described that briefly, but audiences could identify with Luke, Princess Leia and Han Solo. In this one, characters have nicknames, made-up names and assorted aliases. I recognized Dennis Quaid in a brief part where he did his usual Dennis Quaid routine, but the rest of the cast was rather anonymous. Anyone could have been plugged in to the parts

and probably done as well. No call for a DeNiro here.

As part of the producer’s cleverness, G.I. Joe is not really about Americans. The two lead heroes are American, the rest are from a variety of countries. That the original G.I. Joe was a square-jawed representative of American manhood fighting for American values obviously meant nothing to producers interested in foreign box office.

Added to the fun was some nice ninja swordplay. How someone using swords could actually survive all sorts of cool super guns is never explained, but the two characters with the swords were able to take down everyone who went up against them. So much for realism. However, it is more fun to watch the swords flying around than quickie gunshots. Also on the topic of realism, the characters did not bother with camouflage outfits. Black spandex looks really cool on film, particularly when you hire trim, athletic actors of both sexes. Imagine American soldiers in Iraq

wearing Spandex. Al Qaeda could have just sat back and let them all die from the heat without having to bother with nasty things like roadside bombs.

I know my review makes the movie sound horrible. But it was a lot fun in a guilty way. Just turn off your credibility radar, sit back and enjoy the wild ride. That one long bit in Paris was such good fun, I didn’t even reach for popcorn.

At a time when teachers don’t get raises, governments run four days a week and people are out of work, we can think about whether or not we really need stars in any of our movies. The biggest movies of the summer, Star Trek, Transformers and G.I. Joe, were dominated by fancy special effects and had no big stars. A lot of movies featuring multimillion-dollar actors went nowhere.

If you like mindless action-adventure and have a few free hours, you could do worse than G.I. Joe. I enjoyed it and assuaged my guilt with a healthy measure of popcorn.

Our Goodwill Ambassador Drives Electric, Does Dirty Work

Many years ago, when I first arrived in Wellington, I saw very quickly the job I wanted. There was an older gentleman riding around on a golf cart picking up trash. I knew that job would be perfect for me, as I have a fetish for trash. After some investigation, I found out the golf cart guy worked for First Wellington. At the time I didn’t have a clue who or what First Wellington was.

I found out real fast all about First Wellington, the community’s original property owners’ association. When I had to take a trip to its office, I asked about the job of my dreams. Sorry, I was told, but there were no openings for that job. When they discovered my NYPD background, however, they told me they had another job for me. They said I would like it (I don’t know what gave them that idea). The job was as a deed inspector. I didn’t have a clue what a deed inspector was

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

or did either, but I found out real fast that not many folks liked them. I was told that while I wouldn’t ride around in a golf cart picking up litter, I would still be helping to keep Wellington beautiful in other ways. In the back of my mind I still wanted to ride the golf cart. Of course, that never happened. Today, if you have driven through or live in Wellington, you have seen or met the man who presently has my dream job on the golf

cart. I call him the “wave man” because he waves to everyone passing by. Most folks wave back, because they feel they know him. Along with his famous wave, he always has a very large smile for all. This young man is almost single-handedly keeping Wellington beautiful. Because so many slobs drive through, there is never a lack of work for him.

This wonderful man’s name is Horace Reeves. Horace is a resident of the Glades who has been an employee of Wellington’s Acme Improvement District more than 14 years. He has been riding the golf cart for about five years. He picks up at least two bags of roadside trash a day. He also collects dozens of signs on a weekly basis.

When you ask Horace how things are going, he will almost always say, “they are picking up.” I thought I knew a lot of folks out here, but in Horace I have met my match. He

knows everyone and everyone knows him. In fact, everyone likes him, just as they do me. (OK, maybe they like Horace a little more than they like me!) Nowadays, Horace covers Wellington all by himself. He travels many miles each day in the hot sun and pouring rain. None of these conditions stop him from doing his job and waving to everyone.

I asked Horace just the other day if his hand ever gets tired from waving to everyone. He looked at me as if the question was a joke. When he saw I was serious, he told me he never tires of waving and smiling at people. Just like me, Horace is a people person. If everyone in the world were like Horace, this world would be a safe, beautiful place to live. So why can’t we all try? Let’s wave, smile and say hello to everyone we pass. It can’t hurt. It can only improve our world and lives.

Respectable Street To Celebrate 22nd Anniversary Aug. 22

Remember Burdines downtown, a hot dog and a Pepsi for $1 at the Woolworth’s counter, or the full blocks of empty storefronts along Clematis Street? Well, if you do, then you might remember the opening of Respectable Street Café in 1987. And on Saturday, Aug. 22, Respectable Street will celebrate its 22nd anniversary.

Now considered a downtown institution, Respectable Street — which has since dropped “Café” from its name — is the longest-running live music and dance club in Florida, as well as one of the nation’s premier independent music venues.

From 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. the 500 block of Clematis Street will be closed and a main stage will be set up with state-of-the-art lighting and sound.

A total of 22 local and national bands will perform on the main stage and inside the following venues: Respectable Street (518 Clematis Street), the Lounge (517 Clematis Street) and O’Shea’s Irish Pub (531 Clematis Street).

Headlining acts include Freez-

epop from Boston, Mass., along with many local favorites such as Afrobeta, Kill Miss Pretty, Viva Le Vox, Leading the Heroes, the Mission Veo and the Jean Marie. There will also be an open bar and free pizza at Respectable Street from 8 to 10 p.m.

At midnight there will be an attempt to set the Guinness world record for the largest ping-pong ball drop, with more than 5,000 balls dropping and prizes given out to those who find the lucky 22 balls.

Respectable Street was opened 22 years ago by Rodney Mayo, who also operates several other local establishments such as Feelgood’s Rock Bar and Grill, Monarchy and Lost Weekend on Clematis Street, Dada and Tryst restaurants in Delray Beach, Howley’s Diner in West Palm Beach as well as several other clubs and restaurants in South Beach and Boca Raton.

For more information about Respectable Street’s 22nd anniversary celebration, call (561) 832-9999, visit the club’s web site at www. respectablestreet.com or visit its MySpace page at www.myspace. com/respectablestreet.

Summer Art Camp Exhibit On Display At Armory Art Center

The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach has concluded Summer Art Camp 2009, but not before organizing an exhibit of the campers’ art. Works by camp students from kindergarten through high school will be on display starting Friday, Aug. 14 in the Montgomery Gallery.

The opening reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s exhibit features a special section for year-round youth classes.

The Summer Art Camp offers a series of theme-based sessions for elementary schoolaged children. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age-appropriate and focus on children’s artistic and creative development.

At the Armory’s summer camp, students rotate through different studio areas daily. Each teacher presents different creative projects in various media, such as drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture and ceramics. Experienced Palm Beach County instructors, Armory artists in residence and college art students will be providing daily instruction and supervision. Interns and volunteers, primarily from the local arts high schools, also

help in each classroom and at lunch.

The camp also includes studio artshops for teens. Students work with resident artists during these intensive workshops to learn techniques and media while developing a personal style. Classroom critiques and field trips to local galleries or museums may be included. This year’s workshops were split into morning and afternoon sessions that are intended to contrast with each other in order to develop and overall artistic vision. For example, a morning painting class may be paired with a three-dimensional ceramic sculpture class that allows the students to experience the interplay of light in different mediums.

The Summer Art Camp exhibit will continue through Sept. 4.

With more than a dozen state-of-the-art studios, more than 100 course offerings and an annual student population of nearly 3,000, the Armory Art Center is West Palm Beach’s only community art center. The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave. For more information, or to sign up for classes, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 8321776.

PHOTO COURTESY FRANK VERONSKY

Armory Art Center program assistant Daniela Oltavaro hangs artwork.

Freezepop will perform on the main stage at Respectable Street’s 22nd anniversary.

THIS WEEK’S BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Owner Keith Jones invites you to visit Nola’s Pizza.

Nola’s: 29 Years Of Great Pizza

Because the location is small, you may not have noticed Nola’s Pizza, even though this takeout and delivery establishment has been doing brisk business in the same spot for 29 years. Located in a small plaza on Forest Hill Blvd. just east of Jog Road near Wal-Mart, Nola’s has been the place to order a lunchtime slice of pizza, a family dinner or a latenight meal with friends for nearly three decades now. If you have yet to try Nola’s or hear about their delicious food and fine reputation, perhaps you might have seen one of their delivery cars in your neighborhood.

Warm ovens and inviting smells of tasty dishes welcome those who enter the door, as well as a cordial greeting from the friendly and professional employees at Nola’s Pizza. Owner Keith Jones has kept the quality and consistency of his menu high, so customers are never disappointed.

Nola’s is known for hand-tossed, “New York style” brick-oven-baked pizza, but also offers a wide-ranging menu of Italian food, including fresh salads and subs, stuffed calzone, wings and entree dishes such as homemade lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and stuffed shells. Most will agree that Nola’s meatball sub with its large mouthwatering homemade meatballs covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella is exceptionally enjoyable. The antipasto salad is always fresh and loaded with sliced ham and salami, pickled veggies and provolone cheese meant to serve several people. The breaded Italian wings are a unique change from the more common buffalo version, although Nola’s offers those as well. Soft and warm rolls laden with garlic are available, as are cold beverages.

For a perfect ending to any meal, try one of Nola’s “to die for” chocolate brownies. There is something for everyone, and while delivery is easy and quick, it might be a good idea to drop by and order in person the first time, so you can really appreciate the number of selections on the menu.

Nola’s Pizza is open Monday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 11 am. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. All menu items are available for delivery, including soda, beer, ice and cigarettes. Calls for delivery are taken up to 30 minutes prior to closing hours. Visit Nola’s at 6272 Forest Hill Blvd. or call (561) 964-3518 to enjoy the delicious food, convenience and 29 years of experience this community business offers.

Nola’s delivery cars can often be seen around town.

REALTORS WANTED ACTIVE OR INACTIVE - Activate your license at no cost to you. We have leads. Generous commission. 561-3133647, 561-236-1109

NAIL TECH & HAIR STYLISTneeded for busy Loxahatchee salon. FT or PT hours available. 561790-5777 or fax resume 561-7903066

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

HEALTH & NUTRITION - Lose half your body weight in ten minutes! Visit us at www.RU2fat.com Shop Smart! 153 Products under $30! at www.SoBeHealth.com

2 BED 1 BATH APT. FOR RENTCentral A/C & Heat, tile floors. Greenacres area. $750 per month. Call 561-252-6276 or 561-2526277

FOR RENT LOXAHATCHEE - 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Apartment includes utilities, directTV. $700/ month. 561-985-1349

ROOM IN LARGE HOME FOR RENT - includes use of all amenities - pool, boat dock on lake. No Smoking! Royal Palm Beach. LaMancha Community $550 per room. Includes utilities. 561-6673475

2/2, A/C, elevator, pool, balcony, in front of Veterans Park. 561-4602637

4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME - For rent, $1,900 per month. Available March 1st. For more information call (561) 385-3605

LADIES CLOTHING - Large & small sizes, knic-knaks for sale. Some furniture. Variety of Items. Cash only. By. Appointment only. CONTINUOUS SALE EVERYDAY BY APPOINTMENT EVERYTHING MUST GO! 561-792-9649

½ OF DUPLEX FOR RENT - 2 bedrooms/2 bath Riverside Circle. Waterfront. 561-358-3302 or 561-7537550

FOR RENT - 4br, 3ba,2cg Single Family Home in Emerald Forest, Wellington. Great home & Schools! $1,795 monthly. Lorna Riedle, Keller Williams (561) 319-1292.

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation

FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

SeaBreeze Air Systems, Inc. — for Air Conditioning and Heating Indoors and Outdoors. Let us heat your pool for year round enjoyment. Call 561-964-3817 Lic. CAC039717

ARE YOUR TREES READY FOR A HURRICANE? — Florida Arborists has highly trained professionals to provide superior and quality services. 561-568-7500

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIAL-

ISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271

FRANKIE'S MAID OF HONOR - Exceptional cleaning. Wellington references. Supplies also included. 561-790-3881.

COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-713-5276

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611

D.J. COMPUTER - Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach

SLABS, DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS & MORE - Repair & Remove. Form, place and finish. Bobcat ServiceAll your construction needs. Over 30 years experience. Licensed and Insured U17915 561-329-5822 or 561-790-0178

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903

D. FRITZ ELECTRIC SINCE 1978 - Install, Repair. We do it all. Free Estimates. Call Ray today. 561-3125070.

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293

HEALTH MARKETS - Health Insurance personalized to fit your needs and budget! Call Elizabeth Feraco 561-358-3528

ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528

MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836

WWW.GARABAR.COM —Discount pricing. Remodeling & Repairs•Kitchens•Baths • Additions • Painting • Doors • Windows. No Deposit Until Permit • Credit Cards Accepted. 561-337-6798 Lic. #CCC1327252 & GC1510976

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE - Your local Geico office has been saving people money for over 70 years. Contact (561) 616-5944 for a free rate quote.

A Personalized Lawn Care Service that you can afford. Call Dave for a free estimate 561-262-4623 or email dmtonkin@bellsouth.net Monarch Lawn Care

Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. U14736. 7988978.

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING

INC. Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. 7984964. Lic.#U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

JUDY'S-LOVE-YOUR-PET pet sitting service - TLC in your own home while you are away. References call Judy 561-255-5484

PALM BEACH PET SERVICES, LLC. - Pet sitting, dogwalking, www.PalmbeachServices.com. 1866-648-1150 Lic. Bonded. Insured.

PIANO & VOCAL LESSONS - Dr. Brown Ph.d is accepting piano, organ and vocal lessons in studio or your home. Credentials & experience. 561-714-7707

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING —

Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD

GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDAD CALL 793-3576

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.

ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207

WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. Call 561-337-6798 Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120 or 561784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.

Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777

ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955

AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —

Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

INSTALLING TILE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS — Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258

TREE TRIMMING & REMOVAL -

WE DO IT ALL. Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured #200403394 Call Jimmy 329-0213

PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI — Professional Installation & Removal of Paper. Interior Painting, decorative finishes, clean & reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 26 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

WATER CONDITIONERS FROM $499.00 —- Reverse osmosis units for the whole house. Mention this ad for equipment checkup and water analysis $19.99 561-6896151